A warning has been issued to Amazon Fire Stick users about a spyware app disguised as a BMI calculator that could compromise their data.
London: So, there’s been a bit of a scare for Amazon Fire Stick users. Security experts just found a sneaky spyware app that pretended to be a BMI calculator. Crazy, right?
This app, called BMI Calculation Vsn, was hanging out in the Amazon App Store. When users clicked a button, they unknowingly gave it access to their passwords, payment info, and messages. Yikes!
Even though the app has been pulled from the store, if you downloaded it, you should definitely uninstall it and run a full scan on your device. Better safe than sorry!
The app looked harmless, promising to help with body mass index calculations. But it asked for permission to record everything on your screen. That’s a huge red flag!
McAfee pointed out that many folks just click “accept” without reading the fine print. The warning was pretty clear, but who really pays attention to those things?
The pop-up warned that the app could see everything on your screen, including sensitive stuff like passwords and messages. It’s wild how easily people can get caught up in these traps.
McAfee also mentioned that the spyware could intercept SMS messages, which is a big deal if it’s grabbing one-time passwords or other sensitive info. Not cool!
This app was first released on October 8 and got an update later that month, adding features to access SMS messages. It was published by a company that sounds legit but is actually a front for scammers.
What’s even scarier? The app records your activity and saves it as an MP4 file. Luckily, it doesn’t upload it right away, but once it has permission, it can do a lot of damage.
McAfee reminded everyone that even simple apps can hide serious threats. Staying alert and using good security practices is key to keeping your data safe.
The Amazon Appstore is a third-party option for Fire devices, and this incident raises concerns about security. Experts have been warning that users of illegal streaming services might be at risk too. Just a heads up!
