Recent publicity about FaceApp has provided an opportunity for cyber criminals who are interested in quick profits to scam users, according to ESET surveys.
Scammers have used a fake 'Pro' version of the app as bait and tried to make it popular through two types of scams. In the first, a fake website is used that claims to offer a premium version of the FaceApp app. In the second type of scam, YouTube videos are used that promote links for λήψη of a 'Pro' version. One of these fake YouTube videos had over 150.000 views at the time of writing.
The authentic FaceApp app, available for Android and iOS, enables the user to modify their facial image through various filters.
While the application itself is offered free, some of its features designated as “PRO” are available only for a fee. The FaceApp application and its filters have gone "viral", just as much publicity, but it has also raised the issue of privacy protection on the internet.network in the context of using the application.
In one of the scams investigated by ESET, cybercriminals use a fake site that claims to offer a premium version of FaceApp.
In fact, scammers trick their victims into clicking countless offers to install paid apps and subscription services, ads, surveys, and so on. The victim also receives requests from various websites to allow the appearance alerts, which, if activated, redirect to other fake offers.
False videos on YouTube contain download links for apps, the only function of which is to make users install several other apps. By clicking the shortcuts, users are in danger of installing malicious software.
"There were over 200 thousands of online stories about the faceApp Pro fake on Thursday 19 / 7. Only one of the YouTube videos we detected had more than 150 thousands of views, but its malicious links were clicked over 90 thousands of times, "says ESET researcher Lukáš Štefanko, adding that" cybercriminals have achieved such high rates CTR (Click Through Rate) that a legitimate business could not even imagine ".
The application has become extremely famous and many want to use it, but ESET recommends users remember the basic security principles before using it.
No matter how tempting an opportunity appears, like in this case a free upgrade to 'Pro', users should avoid downloading apps from other sources except from the official stores and carefully study the available information about the application (developer, evaluation, reviews, etc.).
Security apps also work as security, as in the event that a user becomes a victim of fraud, if he has a reliable security app installed on his device, he will be able to save some negative consequences.
More details are in the article «With FaceApp in the spotlight, new scams emerge», at WeLiveSecurity.com.
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