Downloading Android apps from Google Play might not always be a safe proposition, but downloading them from third party app stores is definitely less safer.
According to Trend Micro mobile threats analyst Jordan Pan, the company has recently discovered over
1,163 malicious Trojanized APKs in four third party app stores (Aptoide, Mobogenie, mobile9, and 9apps), which are capable of rooting Android-running devices and open them to additional dangers.
In just four days, the malicious apps were downloaded by users from 169 countries, mostly India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
All these apps are Trojanized versions of legitimate game, security, music streaming and other popular apps. "They even share the exact same package and certification with their Google Play counterpart," notes Pan.
