Fake Instagram for Android discovered, contains malware

Given the popularity of Instagram, its arrival on the Android platform certainly sent many Android users into a downloading frenzy. However due to the nature of Android apps which can be distributed outside of the Google Play store, some malicious users have created a fake Instagram website which contains a fake Instagram app. As you might expect, this fake Instagram app not only fails to provide users with Instagram functions, but also contains a malware. This was discovered by security research firm, Sophos.

According to the company, this was what they discovered:

In our tests, the app didn’t do a very good job of emulating the genuine Instagram app, but that may be because it failed to find the correct network operator. Because this is a malicious app that seems to be relying in the sending of background SMS messages to earn its creators revenue.

The company also managed to get a screenshot of the fake website pictured above. It looks pretty convincing, doesn’t it? While some companies might offer genuine apps from their websites, we highly suggest that you get your apps through verified sources such as Google Play, and always be sure to check its reviews and ratings before downloading!

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Apps, Instagram, Malware