Fake Android Netflix App Stealing Account Information

A bogus Netflix app has been circulating around certain online forums, causing problems for those downloading the software. Taking advantage of users who may be seeking out a functional version of the app for unsupported devices, a mock log-in screen collects account usernames and passwords and ships them off to a central server. The app appears to do little else.

The question here is why would someone go through all the trouble of collecting Netflix account info? Once granted access to an account, the would-be thief has access to very little personal details and won’t be collecting on the limited credit card info provided. As CNET notes, it is possible the app is a test run for something a bit more devious, like a fake banking app, but that is speculation at this point. The more likely story? Someone didn’t want to deal with Netflix rate hike and was hoping to collect a nice list of freely accessible accounts. Who wouldn’t want all those free movies?

[via CNET]

Once again, backing up the warning as I always due. Double check your sources, make sure they are reliable, and always know what you are downloading.

I have posted download links in the past for Netflix, they are totally safe. I never post a download link that I have not used myself.

 

 

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  • Anonymous

    remember, alot of people use the same password for multiple sites (including email and what not). If a lot of people download the app, there bound to get a significant number of those people.

  • Mathieu

    Did you really need to share this kind of bad press for Android?
    The fact that Symantec talks about it to scare people and make them buy anti-viruses is one thing but why spreading the news?

    As long as Android will stay an open platform (like Windows/Ubuntu…), you will be able to download and install fake apps. It’s not new and will never stop.
    Like for all platforms, user should only get their apps from trusted sources.
    For me the Android Market, an official website … or XDA are “trusted sources” but it’s up to the user to make it’s choice.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/François-Lahey/100001309587614 François Lahey

      Mathieu,

      Open & Free apply to Androïd as well as blogging. As a owner & lover of android device, I’m sometimes taking risks and this kind of information is also what I want to read about, especially from a blogger who shared many links to netflix version which is not on any market for Canadien user. As any other things in the world, Android as some great aspects and some less interesting, lets speak about both, freely.

      Kindly

    • http://AndroidinCanada.ca Tom Gray

      It’s always good to share the word, not everyone researches these kinda things and I want to ensure the safety of all my readers if I can.