Hackers copying popular apps to infect devices with Teabot and Flubot malware

By taking on the look and feel of popular Android apps like the VideoLAN (VLC) media player, ad blockers and various banking applications, these maliciously crafted apps trick users into installing them on their devices. - 123rf.com

Malware on mobile devices has been a thorn in the side of users ever since smartphones have existed, but the pandemic has exacerbated the spread of malicious software as more people download apps and rely on software on their phones and tablets. Malware creators are now reportedly targeting users by copying popular apps to get them to download dangerous software onto their devices.

According to a report by security firm Bitdefender, these malware creators have been tricking users into sideloading (or instaling apps outside the main app store) to get past Google's malware checks. It details the impact of two such notorious malware strains — Teabot and Flubot, which are also known as 'banker trojans'.