AhnLab urged users to be cautious, saying it found numerous apps on the Google and Apple app stores that masquerade as providing everyday, practical information while exposing users to excessive ads.
According to AhnLab on the 7th, these apps lure users by claiming to provide information and news on high-interest topics such as government policies and subsidies, initial public offerings, and loans, but in actual use they operate by displaying ads in an excessively repetitive manner.
Some apps display ads every time the screen changes and are designed so they can be closed only after a certain period of time has passed or after the ad is clicked. AhnLab said, "These apps are believed to have been created to generate high advertising revenue," and added, "To maintain this revenue structure, the developers appear to be creating similar mass-produced apps and continually distributing and updating them by cleverly circumventing the app registration policies of app stores."
It also analyzed that, due to structural characteristics that allow a large number of ads to be inserted, other malicious functions, such as downloading and executing malware, can be easily added. AhnLab emphasized, "In this case, there is a possibility of various harms, including the theft of personal and financial information, call interception, access to the camera and keyboard, and leakage of photo and video files, so extra caution is needed."
Jang Yeon-cheol, a manager on AhnLab's engine development team, said, "Even on official app stores, ambiguous apps that cause user inconvenience due to excessive ads or that could later add malicious functions are being steadily found," and added, "Even when using official app stores, users should carefully check app reputations, such as user reviews and developer information, and make mobile antivirus scans a routine."