When the victim enters their account information, it is submitted to the real banking app and the criminals behind the scenes.Īlternatively, rogue apps can scare unsuspecting users into opening the door for attackers. When they go to open one of those banking apps, an exact copy of the app home screen is displayed over the real app.

As more app stores crack down on their upload policies, cybercriminals are employing more dubious tactics.įor instance, a malicious shopping app can detect which banking apps the victim has on their phone. Rogue apps are generally used by cybercriminals to pilfer money, either through fraudulent app sales or from stolen information. The malware used to accomplish this wasn’t added until after the app been downloaded and in use for some time.Īccording to Outseer’s own data, the number of rogue mobile apps uploaded to popular app stores jumped nearly 50% during the third quarter of 2021, and now account for 39% of all fraud attacks worldwide. In one recent case, a slew of different apps were used to steal the user’s login credentials for banking, cryptocurrency, and payment apps, along with email and general purpose apps. The crime rings behind these fraudulent branded apps are growing increasingly sophisticated.

While app stores and cell phone manufacturers try to prevent the distribution and download of rogue apps, it’s often a cat-and-mouse game that can leave both brands and customers vulnerable. In one recent study, 134 such “ fleeceware” apps were collectively downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store, racking up $38.5 million in revenue for fraudsters by charging subscription fees that can cost individuals as much as $3,432 per year. Fraudsters sometimes create rogue apps that simply do nothing but charge the user for the download.įor example, cybercriminals will clone a brand’s free app and simply upload it to the app store as a paid product. These malicious apps can install malware, ransomware, or trick users into sending their payment details to attackers.

Rogue apps are mobile apps designed to impersonate trusted brands, with the goal of gaining unauthorized access to information that can be used to commit fraudulent transactions. Wondering about rogue apps? We explain what they are, what they do, and how to protect your business and your customers from the significant damage they can cause.

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