‘LeakerLocker’ is an Android ransomware that will leak your private data and information such as your pictures, chats and messages, browser history to all the friends and people in your contact list. McAfee, one of the world’s biggest security company did a research lately and came around this ransomware and dubbed it ‘LeakerLocker’.
What is a Ransomware?
A Ransomware is a type of a computer virus that may enter your system by clicking a bad link or installing a bogus software. It threatens the victim to leak or publish his personal data or information or stops the user to access his system by locking the login screen or by locking the user’s file until a certain amount of money is paid.
The Android ransomware ‘LeakerLocker’ penetrate into the system by bogus apps that you download through Google Play Store. You may be downloading a simple wallpaper changing app but it might turn out to be a Ransomware. McAfee found two such apps on play store namely ‘Wallpapers Blur HD’ and ‘Booster and Cleaner Pro’.
The Wallpapers Blur HD has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 on play store and has been downloaded approximately by 10,000 Android users. The Booster and Cleaner Pro has an unbelievable rating of 4.5 stars and has been downloaded approximately 5000 times. These apps have been reported to Google, which is further investigating for other such apps that might be on play store.
If these two apps successfully manage to penetrate your Android device, it will lock your device and a message will be prompted that it contains all your private data and in less than 72 hours this data will be sent to every person from your telephone and email contact list. To abort this action you will have to pay a modest Ransom of $50.
The McAfee advise the victim to not to pay the Ransom as it will give hackers the motivation to do more such attacks. Also, there is no guarantee that they will delete your personal information from their servers without leaking it.
The Company says:
“Not all the private data that the malware claims to access is read or leaked. We advise users of infected devices to not pay the ransom. Doing so contributes to the proliferation of this malicious business, which will lead to more attacks.”
These two malicious apps have now been successfully removed from the Google Play Store, however many people up till now have already become the prey of this ransomware. These cyber crimes will continue to steal your information so you must be very careful while surfing the internet or downloading any kind of software or file on to your system.
How To Protect Your Self From Ransomware?
* Avoid Clicking any bad link.
* Do not open any spam emails saying that you have won a prize, delete it immediately.
* Only Download apps and software from trusted developers.
* Always read before giving permissions to the app, like why would a wallpaper app need permission to access your camera and take photos and videos.
* Always use a trusted Firewall, antivirus or a security system on your device.