Meta warns users of more than 400 Android and IOS apps that steal Facebook login information
Meta, Facebook’s owner, has identified more than 400 malicious Android and iOS apps this year that target people across the internet to steal their Facebook login information.
Their findings were reported to Apple and Google and are helping potentially impacted people to learn more about how to stay safe and secure their accounts.
These apps were listed on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store and disguised as photo editors, games, VPN services, business apps and other utilities to trick people into downloading them.
Some examples include:
- Photo editors, including those that claim to allow you to “turn yourself into a cartoon”
- VPNs claiming to boost browsing speed or grant access to blocked content or websites
- Phone utilities such as flashlight apps that claim to brighten your phone’s flashlight
- Mobile games falsely promising high-quality 3D graphics
- Health and lifestyle apps such as horoscopes and fitness trackers
- Business or ad management apps claiming to provide hidden or unauthorized features not found in official apps by tech platforms.
If you believe you’ve downloaded a malicious app and have logged in with your social media or other online credentials, Meta recommend that you delete the app from your device immediately and follow the following instructions to secure your accounts:
- Reset and create new strong passwords. Never reuse your password across multiple websites.
- Enable two-factor authentication, preferably using an Authenticator app, to add an extra security layer to your account.
- Turn on log-in alerts so you’ll be notified if someone is trying to access your account. Be sure to review your previous sessions to ensure you recognize which devices have access to your account.
You are also encouraged to report malicious applications that compromise Meta accounts through their Data Abuse Bounty program.
To view a full list of these apps, click here.
