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Rokarolla Android malware can take over your phone and steal banking logins

17 June 2026 at 17:34

Researchers have analyzed a new Android banking Trojan called Rokarolla. It can effectively take over a device, steal banking and crypto login details from more than 200 apps, and quietly monitor much of what you do on your phone.

On an infected device, Rokarolla steals banking and crypto login details. It also uses fake lock-screen overlays to capture your PIN, pattern, or password.

When you open one of the banking or crypto apps on Rokarolla’s target list, the malware downloads and displays a matching fake login page over the real app. Anything you type into the fake page, including usernames, passwords, and card numbers, is sent to the attackers.

Separately, Rokarolla abuses Android’s Accessibility features to monitor activity across the device. It can recognize WhatsApp screens by looking for familiar labels such as “Chats” and “Calls,” extract contact information, read SMS messages, and send new ones. These capabilities can help it intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.

Rokarolla can take control of text messages and phone calls, helping it block security alerts and hide signs of fraud.

It can also record everything you type and see on the screen. If you copy and paste a cryptocurrency wallet address, the malware can secretly replace it with one belonging to the attackers.

Other features help the malware stay hidden, including the ability to hide its icon, silence the device, turn off Google Play Protect, and prevent the screen from going to sleep.

How it spreads

Rokarolla is distributed through rogue websites, where it is offered as fake versions of popular apps like TikTok or Chrome.

Malwarebytes blocks the download site
Malwarebytes blocks the download site

Instead of sending you to the official Google Play Store, these malicious sites push you to download the app directly, a process known as sideloading. After you install it, the fake app poses as Google Play Protect and quietly downloads and installs the malware that carries out the attack.

To gain the access it needs, the fake app asks for powerful permissions, including Accessibility access, the permission to read SMS messages, and access to notifications. Because these requests can look legitimate, many users may approve them without realizing the risks.

How to stay safe

To avoid banking Trojans like Rokarolla, there are a few guidelines you should follow:

  • Don’t trust apps that claim to be Google Play Protect or another system component. You should never need to install these manually.
  • Use up-to-date, real-time anti-malware protection with web protection on your devices.
  • Don’t sideload apps that are available on the Google Play Store. While malware can sometimes slip into official stores, the risk is much greater elsewhere.
  • Deny powerful permissions to apps downloaded from links or websites, especially if they ask for Accessibility access, SMS permissions, or the ability to handle calls, even though that doesn’t match their stated purpose.
  • In fact, any request for Accessibility access should be treated with caution. If an app that is not clearly an accessibility tool asks for it, deny the request and reconsider whether you trust the source.
  • Scrutinize banking and crypto login screens. If something looks off, or you see multiple login prompts, close the app and relaunch it from its official icon.

Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Rokarolla Android malware can take over your phone and steal banking logins

17 June 2026 at 17:34

Researchers have analyzed a new Android banking Trojan called Rokarolla. It can effectively take over a device, steal banking and crypto login details from more than 200 apps, and quietly monitor much of what you do on your phone.

On an infected device, Rokarolla steals banking and crypto login details. It also uses fake lock-screen overlays to capture your PIN, pattern, or password.

When you open one of the banking or crypto apps on Rokarolla’s target list, the malware downloads and displays a matching fake login page over the real app. Anything you type into the fake page, including usernames, passwords, and card numbers, is sent to the attackers.

Separately, Rokarolla abuses Android’s Accessibility features to monitor activity across the device. It can recognize WhatsApp screens by looking for familiar labels such as “Chats” and “Calls,” extract contact information, read SMS messages, and send new ones. These capabilities can help it intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes.

Rokarolla can take control of text messages and phone calls, helping it block security alerts and hide signs of fraud.

It can also record everything you type and see on the screen. If you copy and paste a cryptocurrency wallet address, the malware can secretly replace it with one belonging to the attackers.

Other features help the malware stay hidden, including the ability to hide its icon, silence the device, turn off Google Play Protect, and prevent the screen from going to sleep.

How it spreads

Rokarolla is distributed through rogue websites, where it is offered as fake versions of popular apps like TikTok or Chrome.

Malwarebytes blocks the download site
Malwarebytes blocks the download site

Instead of sending you to the official Google Play Store, these malicious sites push you to download the app directly, a process known as sideloading. After you install it, the fake app poses as Google Play Protect and quietly downloads and installs the malware that carries out the attack.

To gain the access it needs, the fake app asks for powerful permissions, including Accessibility access, the permission to read SMS messages, and access to notifications. Because these requests can look legitimate, many users may approve them without realizing the risks.

How to stay safe

To avoid banking Trojans like Rokarolla, there are a few guidelines you should follow:

  • Don’t trust apps that claim to be Google Play Protect or another system component. You should never need to install these manually.
  • Use up-to-date, real-time anti-malware protection with web protection on your devices.
  • Don’t sideload apps that are available on the Google Play Store. While malware can sometimes slip into official stores, the risk is much greater elsewhere.
  • Deny powerful permissions to apps downloaded from links or websites, especially if they ask for Accessibility access, SMS permissions, or the ability to handle calls, even though that doesn’t match their stated purpose.
  • In fact, any request for Accessibility access should be treated with caution. If an app that is not clearly an accessibility tool asks for it, deny the request and reconsider whether you trust the source.
  • Scrutinize banking and crypto login screens. If something looks off, or you see multiple login prompts, close the app and relaunch it from its official icon.

Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Stolen iPhones could soon be worth a lot less to thieves

12 June 2026 at 16:03

The UK’s Metropolitan Police has reached an agreement with Apple designed to make stolen iPhones harder to resell and less attractive to thieves. The approach combines stronger technical protections with direct data sharing between Apple and law enforcement.

In 2023, about 1.4 million mobile phones were stolen in the US alone. London is reportedly one of the worst cities for phone theft, with around 200 devices stolen every day. 

As part of this effort, Apple has strengthened its Stolen Device Protection feature in iOS 26.4, making it harder for thieves to change security settings, factory‑reset a stolen iPhone, or set it up as new.

Previously, thieves with your passcode (or who snatched your iPhone while it was still unlocked) could factory reset it, wiping your account and making the device look new for resale. Stolen Device Protection blocks this, requiring biometric authentication, not just a passcode, to make critical changes.

The Met has started sharing identifiers for reported stolen devices with Apple. In return, Apple can provide data on whether those devices later attempt to reconnect to a network or attempt to be reactivated.

Police say this gives them a better picture of what happens to stolen devices: Are they being switched back on locally? Shipped abroad? Broken down for parts?

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said Apple believes it has “cracked” the engineering problem. Phone thefts in London have since fallen 18% year-on-year, with Westminster (the capital’s worst-affected borough) down 45.8%.

Given the early signs of success, the Met is pressing for broader changes.

The Commissioner has written to the Home Secretary asking for laws that would require all phone manufacturers and mobile operators to share information about stolen devices and implement measures that make stolen handsets unusable. 

As part of that effort, the Met has explicitly said that Samsung and Google are also improving device security to address phone theft, suggesting this will become an industry‑wide expectation rather than an Apple‑only initiative.

Possible pitfalls

From a privacy perspective, it’s important to keep an eye on what data is shared, and who can see it.

Reports so far suggest that Apple and the Met are exchanging device identifiers and high‑level information about whether a stolen phone has attempted to reconnect or be reactivated. In theory, that sounds narrow and purpose‑bound: device X was reported stolen, later tried to come online in country Y, at time Z. There is no public indication that content, contacts, or location histories are being handed over wholesale.

There’s also a risk of someone reporting your phone as stolen. If a device is incorrectly marked as stolen, the protections designed to stop thieves could lock an innocent user out, turning a valuable asset into a brick. Without transparent appeal mechanisms, this is a notable concern.

The measures could also create challenges for recycling initiatives, legitimate repair shops, and refurbishers. They may face additional hurdles when diagnosing, restoring, or reselling devices if anti-theft protections become more restrictive.

Stay safe

Make sure your phone is protected with a strong passcode and biometric security, such as Face ID or a fingerprint.

Enable Apple’s Find My feature, or the Android equivalent, and make sure it is linked to a strong account password.

Keep lock screen notifications to a minimum so thieves cannot quickly access your sensitive information if they get hold of your device.

When buying a used phone, use a reputable seller and make sure the device has been reset by its owner. Complete the initial setup process with the seller present to confirm the phone isn’t locked to someone else’s account or reported stolen.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Stolen iPhones could soon be worth a lot less to thieves

12 June 2026 at 16:03

The UK’s Metropolitan Police has reached an agreement with Apple designed to make stolen iPhones harder to resell and less attractive to thieves. The approach combines stronger technical protections with direct data sharing between Apple and law enforcement.

In 2023, about 1.4 million mobile phones were stolen in the US alone. London is reportedly one of the worst cities for phone theft, with around 200 devices stolen every day. 

As part of this effort, Apple has strengthened its Stolen Device Protection feature in iOS 26.4, making it harder for thieves to change security settings, factory‑reset a stolen iPhone, or set it up as new.

Previously, thieves with your passcode (or who snatched your iPhone while it was still unlocked) could factory reset it, wiping your account and making the device look new for resale. Stolen Device Protection blocks this, requiring biometric authentication, not just a passcode, to make critical changes.

The Met has started sharing identifiers for reported stolen devices with Apple. In return, Apple can provide data on whether those devices later attempt to reconnect to a network or attempt to be reactivated.

Police say this gives them a better picture of what happens to stolen devices: Are they being switched back on locally? Shipped abroad? Broken down for parts?

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said Apple believes it has “cracked” the engineering problem. Phone thefts in London have since fallen 18% year-on-year, with Westminster (the capital’s worst-affected borough) down 45.8%.

Given the early signs of success, the Met is pressing for broader changes.

The Commissioner has written to the Home Secretary asking for laws that would require all phone manufacturers and mobile operators to share information about stolen devices and implement measures that make stolen handsets unusable. 

As part of that effort, the Met has explicitly said that Samsung and Google are also improving device security to address phone theft, suggesting this will become an industry‑wide expectation rather than an Apple‑only initiative.

Possible pitfalls

From a privacy perspective, it’s important to keep an eye on what data is shared, and who can see it.

Reports so far suggest that Apple and the Met are exchanging device identifiers and high‑level information about whether a stolen phone has attempted to reconnect or be reactivated. In theory, that sounds narrow and purpose‑bound: device X was reported stolen, later tried to come online in country Y, at time Z. There is no public indication that content, contacts, or location histories are being handed over wholesale.

There’s also a risk of someone reporting your phone as stolen. If a device is incorrectly marked as stolen, the protections designed to stop thieves could lock an innocent user out, turning a valuable asset into a brick. Without transparent appeal mechanisms, this is a notable concern.

The measures could also create challenges for recycling initiatives, legitimate repair shops, and refurbishers. They may face additional hurdles when diagnosing, restoring, or reselling devices if anti-theft protections become more restrictive.

Stay safe

Make sure your phone is protected with a strong passcode and biometric security, such as Face ID or a fingerprint.

Enable Apple’s Find My feature, or the Android equivalent, and make sure it is linked to a strong account password.

Keep lock screen notifications to a minimum so thieves cannot quickly access your sensitive information if they get hold of your device.

When buying a used phone, use a reputable seller and make sure the device has been reset by its owner. Complete the initial setup process with the seller present to confirm the phone isn’t locked to someone else’s account or reported stolen.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Children’s phones must block nude images by September, UK says

11 June 2026 at 12:55

Build something that doesn’t exist. Don’t collect any data while you do it. Get it wrong and the CEO could face criminal charges. That’s close to the ultimatum the UK government handed Apple and Google on June 8. The two companies have three months to introduce device-level protections blocking nudity across every smartphone and tablet sold in the UK. If they don’t, the government will legislate—including fines and, as a last resort, criminal liability for tech bosses.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move at London Tech Week, telling the firms:

“If they choose not to, then we will act and change the law.”

The policy reads cleanly. The execution doesn’t.

What’s already on your child’s phone, and what isn’t

Both companies already do something to prevent children interacting with nudes. Apple’s Communication Safety feature warns children with a Child Account when they send or receive images and videos containing nudity across Messages, AirDrop, FaceTime, and other apps. It updated the feature with new functionality at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week.

Google’s Sensitive Content Warnings blur sensitive imagery in Google Messages for supervised users and signed-in unsupervised teens—though the feature covers images only, not video.

Apple will soon require people to confirm that they are over 18 in the UK and some other countries to access certain features on their phones. That will involve age assurance through government ID, payment information, or other verification methods depending on region.

These measures aren’t enough, according to the UK government. It complains that existing nudity detection isn’t applied to the camera or other apps, third-party messaging services, or search functions. So in other words, the protections miss most of the phone. The camera, WhatsApp, Signal, Safari, and the photo library all sit outside the protective bubble parents may assume already exists.

Is privacy-respecting scanning possible?

The announcement also contains a line that’s hard to reconcile with the rest of it:

“Companies must introduce these measures without threatening privacy or collecting any data.”

Adults can opt out, but only by completing age verification.

That’s a tall order. Privacy advocates argue that age verification inevitably creates new data collection risks, even when companies try to minimize the information they store. Whatever Apple and Google build, some form of record-keeping seems likely. If executives can face personal liability for non-compliance, someone has to be able to demonstrate what the system did and when.

The government’s proof that any of this is achievable rests on a single product: SafeToNet’s HarmBlock, which the Home Office calls “a proven example” of safe-by-default device protection. HarmBlock’s source code (which isn’t public) analyzes images and live streams entirely on-device.

Digital privacy groups were not happy with the announcement. Big Brother Watch pointed out that children could easily access adult-registered devices, and warned that mandatory ID checks for adults would mean “the death of anonymity and internet privacy.”

Private messaging app Signal said promises the scanning would run only on-device were “cold comfort” because wherever the system runs, its reach would ultimately be determined by government, not technology:

“Its scope will be defined by the whims and proscriptions of the government to detect nudity today and political speech tomorrow.”

Apple has been here before. In 2021, it announced a separate plan to detect known child sexual abuse imagery on devices by matching image hashes against a database of known material, and quietly shelved it after sustained backlash from privacy advocates.

What families can do today

September will end in voluntary compliance or hurried legislation. Either way, none of that changes what’s on your child’s phone right now. Today, the messaging channels most heavily used by teenagers aren’t protected. Many grooming and sextortion cases begin on apps that operate outside the operating system’s built-in safety features. Parents and kids can take extra steps for protection:

  • Turn on Communication Safety on iPhones with a Child Account, and Sensitive Content Warnings on supervised Android Messages. They might only blunt the problem at one narrow point, but it’s better than nothing.
  • Talk to your kids about coerced sharing. The Internet Watch Foundation reported that 91% of reports it assessed in 2024 contained self-generated content submitted by children themselves. Children are often coerced into sending explicit material to abusers online. The Internet Watch Foundation has a list of resources for people who are being coerced into sending intimate images online.
  • Cover the basics that outlive any policy: put unique passwords on all accounts, and add multi-factor authentication.
  • Be careful when sharing images of children you know online. Increasingly, criminals can use non-explicit images to create sexual content using AI that can in turn be used for extortion.

CNET Editors' Choice Award 2026

“One of the best cybersecurity suites on the planet.” 

According to CNET. Read their review


Children’s phones must block nude images by September, UK says

11 June 2026 at 12:55

Build something that doesn’t exist. Don’t collect any data while you do it. Get it wrong and the CEO could face criminal charges. That’s close to the ultimatum the UK government handed Apple and Google on June 8. The two companies have three months to introduce device-level protections blocking nudity across every smartphone and tablet sold in the UK. If they don’t, the government will legislate—including fines and, as a last resort, criminal liability for tech bosses.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move at London Tech Week, telling the firms:

“If they choose not to, then we will act and change the law.”

The policy reads cleanly. The execution doesn’t.

What’s already on your child’s phone, and what isn’t

Both companies already do something to prevent children interacting with nudes. Apple’s Communication Safety feature warns children with a Child Account when they send or receive images and videos containing nudity across Messages, AirDrop, FaceTime, and other apps. It updated the feature with new functionality at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week.

Google’s Sensitive Content Warnings blur sensitive imagery in Google Messages for supervised users and signed-in unsupervised teens—though the feature covers images only, not video.

Apple will soon require people to confirm that they are over 18 in the UK and some other countries to access certain features on their phones. That will involve age assurance through government ID, payment information, or other verification methods depending on region.

These measures aren’t enough, according to the UK government. It complains that existing nudity detection isn’t applied to the camera or other apps, third-party messaging services, or search functions. So in other words, the protections miss most of the phone. The camera, WhatsApp, Signal, Safari, and the photo library all sit outside the protective bubble parents may assume already exists.

Is privacy-respecting scanning possible?

The announcement also contains a line that’s hard to reconcile with the rest of it:

“Companies must introduce these measures without threatening privacy or collecting any data.”

Adults can opt out, but only by completing age verification.

That’s a tall order. Privacy advocates argue that age verification inevitably creates new data collection risks, even when companies try to minimize the information they store. Whatever Apple and Google build, some form of record-keeping seems likely. If executives can face personal liability for non-compliance, someone has to be able to demonstrate what the system did and when.

The government’s proof that any of this is achievable rests on a single product: SafeToNet’s HarmBlock, which the Home Office calls “a proven example” of safe-by-default device protection. HarmBlock’s source code (which isn’t public) analyzes images and live streams entirely on-device.

Digital privacy groups were not happy with the announcement. Big Brother Watch pointed out that children could easily access adult-registered devices, and warned that mandatory ID checks for adults would mean “the death of anonymity and internet privacy.”

Private messaging app Signal said promises the scanning would run only on-device were “cold comfort” because wherever the system runs, its reach would ultimately be determined by government, not technology:

“Its scope will be defined by the whims and proscriptions of the government to detect nudity today and political speech tomorrow.”

Apple has been here before. In 2021, it announced a separate plan to detect known child sexual abuse imagery on devices by matching image hashes against a database of known material, and quietly shelved it after sustained backlash from privacy advocates.

What families can do today

September will end in voluntary compliance or hurried legislation. Either way, none of that changes what’s on your child’s phone right now. Today, the messaging channels most heavily used by teenagers aren’t protected. Many grooming and sextortion cases begin on apps that operate outside the operating system’s built-in safety features. Parents and kids can take extra steps for protection:

  • Turn on Communication Safety on iPhones with a Child Account, and Sensitive Content Warnings on supervised Android Messages. They might only blunt the problem at one narrow point, but it’s better than nothing.
  • Talk to your kids about coerced sharing. The Internet Watch Foundation reported that 91% of reports it assessed in 2024 contained self-generated content submitted by children themselves. Children are often coerced into sending explicit material to abusers online. The Internet Watch Foundation has a list of resources for people who are being coerced into sending intimate images online.
  • Cover the basics that outlive any policy: put unique passwords on all accounts, and add multi-factor authentication.
  • Be careful when sharing images of children you know online. Increasingly, criminals can use non-explicit images to create sexual content using AI that can in turn be used for extortion.

CNET Editors' Choice Award 2026

“One of the best cybersecurity suites on the planet.” 

According to CNET. Read their review


Fake virus alerts are invading mobile games

2 June 2026 at 11:03

Sometimes it happens. You’re happily playing a game on your phone or laptop when suddenly alarms pop up out of nowhere:

“Your device is infected!”

“Your iCloud is full!”

“Your account is restricted for watching porn!”

Some games can be played for free if you agree to watch ads, and in others you can get extra lives, perks, or boosters by watching ads. That’s fine, as long as you’re given a choice and the ads are legitimate.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals sometimes manage to buy advertising space and use it to defraud gamers.

Let’s look at some examples.

The iCloud storage scam, or its OneDrive equivalent, is a well-known and long-running scam that claims you need to expand your storage or all your files will be deleted. The websites these messages link to come in many forms, but they all ask for personal and payment details to complete the upgrade.

Restricted account

“Your account has been restricted.
We have detected that your device has been hacked after visiting adult websites.
Solution:
1:Click the “OK” button below;

2:You will be redirected to App Store;

3:Install and open the app, then run the cleanup program.”

This ad is a scam and uses a classic scare tactic. It falsely claims your device has been hacked and tries to pressure you into clicking “OK” and installing a cleanup app.

Messages like this sometimes claim to be from your ISP, a “Security Department,” or a generic “Safety Center.”

 Fake Apple security alert

“Apple Security Alert
8 viruses have been detected on your iPhone. Now iOS is damaged by 72%. Further damage to the system will result in device lockup and loss of all data within two minutes.
Please click the button below to remove all viruses.”

This is another fake warning, commonly used by scammers to trick users into clicking links or downloading unnecessary or harmful software. Apple doesn’t send alerts like this, and these messages use vague threats to get your attention.

What kind of app you’re really installing if you follow the instructions depends on your device and your location. If you’re “lucky,” it’s just adware, but you might just as easily end up with an infostealer.

In many cases, you’ll end up with fleeceware, a type of deceptive mobile app where developers lure users in with short free trials that quickly convert into hidden subscription fees, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars per month. These apps often offer some functionality to stay on the barely legal side of things, but at wildly inflated prices.

How to stay safe

The best response to these messages is simply to ignore them.

Real system alerts come from the OS, not from inside a game window or browser tab. Here’s a simple test: If you can switch apps and the “warning” disappears with the browser/game, it was not a system‑level alert.

Check the destination URLs before proceeding. Apple, Google, and major ISPs use predictable domains. A familiar-looking URL is not proof that a message is legitimate, but if the URL looks suspicious, it should definitely be treated as a scam.


Scam or legit? Scam Guard knows.


You may arrive at something that looks like the official App Store or Google Play Store. Be wary of lookalike app stores and unofficial download sites, but if you are on the real store, the app is generally safer to install. However, it’s still worth checking reviews, permissions, and the developer before proceeding.

Visit the official website of the organization the message claims to be from and log in there. If there’s a genuine problem with your account, storage, or device, you’ll find information about it through official channels.

Use an up-to-date, real-time anti-malware solution on your devices that can detect and block malicious apps.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Fake virus alerts are invading mobile games

2 June 2026 at 11:03

Sometimes it happens. You’re happily playing a game on your phone or laptop when suddenly alarms pop up out of nowhere:

“Your device is infected!”

“Your iCloud is full!”

“Your account is restricted for watching porn!”

Some games can be played for free if you agree to watch ads, and in others you can get extra lives, perks, or boosters by watching ads. That’s fine, as long as you’re given a choice and the ads are legitimate.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals sometimes manage to buy advertising space and use it to defraud gamers.

Let’s look at some examples.

The iCloud storage scam, or its OneDrive equivalent, is a well-known and long-running scam that claims you need to expand your storage or all your files will be deleted. The websites these messages link to come in many forms, but they all ask for personal and payment details to complete the upgrade.

Restricted account

“Your account has been restricted.
We have detected that your device has been hacked after visiting adult websites.
Solution:
1:Click the “OK” button below;

2:You will be redirected to App Store;

3:Install and open the app, then run the cleanup program.”

This ad is a scam and uses a classic scare tactic. It falsely claims your device has been hacked and tries to pressure you into clicking “OK” and installing a cleanup app.

Messages like this sometimes claim to be from your ISP, a “Security Department,” or a generic “Safety Center.”

 Fake Apple security alert

“Apple Security Alert
8 viruses have been detected on your iPhone. Now iOS is damaged by 72%. Further damage to the system will result in device lockup and loss of all data within two minutes.
Please click the button below to remove all viruses.”

This is another fake warning, commonly used by scammers to trick users into clicking links or downloading unnecessary or harmful software. Apple doesn’t send alerts like this, and these messages use vague threats to get your attention.

What kind of app you’re really installing if you follow the instructions depends on your device and your location. If you’re “lucky,” it’s just adware, but you might just as easily end up with an infostealer.

In many cases, you’ll end up with fleeceware, a type of deceptive mobile app where developers lure users in with short free trials that quickly convert into hidden subscription fees, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars per month. These apps often offer some functionality to stay on the barely legal side of things, but at wildly inflated prices.

How to stay safe

The best response to these messages is simply to ignore them.

Real system alerts come from the OS, not from inside a game window or browser tab. Here’s a simple test: If you can switch apps and the “warning” disappears with the browser/game, it was not a system‑level alert.

Check the destination URLs before proceeding. Apple, Google, and major ISPs use predictable domains. A familiar-looking URL is not proof that a message is legitimate, but if the URL looks suspicious, it should definitely be treated as a scam.


Scam or legit? Scam Guard knows.


You may arrive at something that looks like the official App Store or Google Play Store. Be wary of lookalike app stores and unofficial download sites, but if you are on the real store, the app is generally safer to install. However, it’s still worth checking reviews, permissions, and the developer before proceeding.

Visit the official website of the organization the message claims to be from and log in there. If there’s a genuine problem with your account, storage, or device, you’ll find information about it through official channels.

Use an up-to-date, real-time anti-malware solution on your devices that can detect and block malicious apps.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Your phone called. It needs a cleanup.

1 June 2026 at 10:31

Does it sometimes take your phone a few minutes to accomplish one simple task? That can be wildly frustrating.

But you’re in luck, because we’ve got a free tool that scans your phone for leftover files, temporary data, outdated caches and helps you clean up all that junk.

Introducing our Junk Cleaner for Android.

The new, free feature in our app clears out your unused files, helps protect your privacy, frees up valuable storage space, and improves your device’s performance.

Start cleaning up your phone now. Download the app and clear out your junk.

google-play-badge

How to clean up your Android device

1. Open the Malwarebytes app on your Android device

2. On the Junk Cleaner card, tap Clean

If this is your first time using Junk Cleaner, you’ll need to grant permissions:

  • Allow file access: Tap Give permission, then turn on Allow Malwarebytes to manage all files.
  • Allow usage access: Tap Go to Settings. Under App usage data, tap Malwarebytes, then turn on Permit access to app usage data. If the toggle is grayed out, follow the on-screen instructions to enable access.

3. Return to the Junk Cleaner screen and tap Refresh

4. Tap Select all, then Clean all

Once the cleanup is complete, you’ll see an “All clean” screen showing how much storage space you freed up.

Prefer to remove files individually? Just select the files or folders you want to delete, then tap Clean.

Important: Once files are deleted with Junk Cleaner, they cannot be recovered using the Malwarebytes app.

Get started

Download Malwarebytes for Android and start cleaning up your device today.

Not a Malwarebytes user yet? No problem, it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re looking for yourself, your family, or a small business, we have a range of plans to choose from.


CNET Editors' Choice Award 2026

“One of the best cybersecurity suites on the planet.” 

According to CNET. Read their review


Your phone called. It needs a cleanup.

1 June 2026 at 10:31

Does it sometimes take your phone a few minutes to accomplish one simple task? That can be wildly frustrating.

But you’re in luck, because we’ve got a free tool that scans your phone for leftover files, temporary data, outdated caches and helps you clean up all that junk.

Introducing our Junk Cleaner for Android.

The new, free feature in our app clears out your unused files, helps protect your privacy, frees up valuable storage space, and improves your device’s performance.

Start cleaning up your phone now. Download the app and clear out your junk.

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How to clean up your Android device

1. Open the Malwarebytes app on your Android device

2. On the Junk Cleaner card, tap Clean

If this is your first time using Junk Cleaner, you’ll need to grant permissions:

  • Allow file access: Tap Give permission, then turn on Allow Malwarebytes to manage all files.
  • Allow usage access: Tap Go to Settings. Under App usage data, tap Malwarebytes, then turn on Permit access to app usage data. If the toggle is grayed out, follow the on-screen instructions to enable access.

3. Return to the Junk Cleaner screen and tap Refresh

4. Tap Select all, then Clean all

Once the cleanup is complete, you’ll see an “All clean” screen showing how much storage space you freed up.

Prefer to remove files individually? Just select the files or folders you want to delete, then tap Clean.

Important: Once files are deleted with Junk Cleaner, they cannot be recovered using the Malwarebytes app.

Get started

Download Malwarebytes for Android and start cleaning up your device today.

Not a Malwarebytes user yet? No problem, it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re looking for yourself, your family, or a small business, we have a range of plans to choose from.


CNET Editors' Choice Award 2026

“One of the best cybersecurity suites on the planet.” 

According to CNET. Read their review


Swapper – A Pure Regex Match/Replace Burp Extension

To get a valid session token to use with Burp Suite tools, I ended up writing a small Python extension (110 lines of code, but who’s counting?) that obtained a new session token for each request, allowing items like Intruder to work as intended. Cool, I was able to use it during the test, but I would like this to be repeatable. So, this blog is releasing Swapper, a regex pattern-based match/replace Burp Suite extension.

The post Swapper – A Pure Regex Match/Replace Burp Extension appeared first on Black Hills Information Security, Inc..

Android 17 ends all-or-nothing access to your contacts

21 April 2026 at 12:12

Some of the apps on your phone want your contacts. Most don’t need them all, but have been happily slurping up the lot for years. Google has decided to do something about that with the next version of Android.

Android 17 (currently in preview) is introducing a new Contact Picker that lets users grant apps access to specific contacts rather than the entire list.

Previously, any app that needed a single phone number had to request READ_CONTACTS. That’s a permission that handed over every name, email, and number. It’s the digital equivalent of handing someone your entire Rolodex because they asked for one business card.

An app that can harvest your entire contact list can map your social network, identify your family members, and potentially hand that data to whoever’s buying. So whenever you click “yes” to “show us all your contacts” it isn’t just your privacy you’re playing with.

From Android 17 onward, apps will need to be more specific about what contact data they access. Phone number? Fine. Email address? Sure. Your cousin’s mailing address? Not unless the app has a reason.

Google’s updated Play policy will require apps to use the Contact Picker or the Android Sharesheet as the main way to access contacts. READ_CONTACTS will be reserved for apps that genuinely can’t function without it. 

Location sharing gets the privacy treatment

Location permissions are also set to become more granular and privacy-friendly in Android 17.

Previously, apps could ask for your precise or general location, and you could allow it just once, any time you’re using the app, or not at all. The new button adds nuance by letting app developers ask for your location in the moment, tied to a specific action, like finding a local cafe.

There will also be a persistent indicator to let you know when an app is using your location, similar to the alerts for camera or microphone access. And you’ll be able to find out which apps are tracking you as well.

Google blocked 8.3 billion bad ads in 2025

The tighter permissions management in Android 17 is a big deal for privacy advocates, because overly broad access is how data brokers build detailed profiles about you.

Those profiles can then be used for aggressive or invasive advertising, including scams.


Mobile protection, anywhere, anytime.


Google timed these privacy announcements alongside its latest Ad Safety report, which says it blocked 8.3 billion policy-violating ads and suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts in the last year. 

The 8.3 billion figure is up from 2024, when Google blocked 5.1 billion ads. The increase suggests that the problem is getting worse, or that Google is getting better at catching it. Scam ads are a big part of that. In 2024, Google blocked 415 million scam-related ads. In 2025, that number grew to 602 million. 

Lest we forget

We’ll give Google credit for trying to tackle this problem from both ends—limiting data collection and cracking down on the kinds of ads that use that data maliciously. But there’s still a sense that it’s not doing quite enough.

Yes, the Android 17 permission changes are good for users, but granular contact access should have been the default years ago. Apple has been doing it for 18 months in iOS 18, and even that was years too late, in our opinion.

And while Google says it caught over 99% of violations before users ever saw them, 1% of an insanely large number is still insanely large.

The ads that still get through are damaging. In December, we reported on sponsored search results pointing to malicious AI chats that instructed people to install infostealer malware. Why does Google run ads that look like search results? Because its business model is driven by advertising revenue. At least it’s making it easier to hide them now.

So we’ll give a cautious hand clap to Google. It’s moving in the right direction. But stories about how it knowingly giving kids’ data inappropriately to advertisers or misusing health data still give us pause.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Android 17 ends all-or-nothing access to your contacts

21 April 2026 at 12:12

Some of the apps on your phone want your contacts. Most don’t need them all, but have been happily slurping up the lot for years. Google has decided to do something about that with the next version of Android.

Android 17 (currently in preview) is introducing a new Contact Picker that lets users grant apps access to specific contacts rather than the entire list.

Previously, any app that needed a single phone number had to request READ_CONTACTS. That’s a permission that handed over every name, email, and number. It’s the digital equivalent of handing someone your entire Rolodex because they asked for one business card.

An app that can harvest your entire contact list can map your social network, identify your family members, and potentially hand that data to whoever’s buying. So whenever you click “yes” to “show us all your contacts” it isn’t just your privacy you’re playing with.

From Android 17 onward, apps will need to be more specific about what contact data they access. Phone number? Fine. Email address? Sure. Your cousin’s mailing address? Not unless the app has a reason.

Google’s updated Play policy will require apps to use the Contact Picker or the Android Sharesheet as the main way to access contacts. READ_CONTACTS will be reserved for apps that genuinely can’t function without it. 

Location sharing gets the privacy treatment

Location permissions are also set to become more granular and privacy-friendly in Android 17.

Previously, apps could ask for your precise or general location, and you could allow it just once, any time you’re using the app, or not at all. The new button adds nuance by letting app developers ask for your location in the moment, tied to a specific action, like finding a local cafe.

There will also be a persistent indicator to let you know when an app is using your location, similar to the alerts for camera or microphone access. And you’ll be able to find out which apps are tracking you as well.

Google blocked 8.3 billion bad ads in 2025

The tighter permissions management in Android 17 is a big deal for privacy advocates, because overly broad access is how data brokers build detailed profiles about you.

Those profiles can then be used for aggressive or invasive advertising, including scams.


Mobile protection, anywhere, anytime.


Google timed these privacy announcements alongside its latest Ad Safety report, which says it blocked 8.3 billion policy-violating ads and suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts in the last year. 

The 8.3 billion figure is up from 2024, when Google blocked 5.1 billion ads. The increase suggests that the problem is getting worse, or that Google is getting better at catching it. Scam ads are a big part of that. In 2024, Google blocked 415 million scam-related ads. In 2025, that number grew to 602 million. 

Lest we forget

We’ll give Google credit for trying to tackle this problem from both ends—limiting data collection and cracking down on the kinds of ads that use that data maliciously. But there’s still a sense that it’s not doing quite enough.

Yes, the Android 17 permission changes are good for users, but granular contact access should have been the default years ago. Apple has been doing it for 18 months in iOS 18, and even that was years too late, in our opinion.

And while Google says it caught over 99% of violations before users ever saw them, 1% of an insanely large number is still insanely large.

The ads that still get through are damaging. In December, we reported on sponsored search results pointing to malicious AI chats that instructed people to install infostealer malware. Why does Google run ads that look like search results? Because its business model is driven by advertising revenue. At least it’s making it easier to hide them now.

So we’ll give a cautious hand clap to Google. It’s moving in the right direction. But stories about how it knowingly giving kids’ data inappropriately to advertisers or misusing health data still give us pause.


Scammers know more about you than you think. 

Malwarebytes Mobile Security protects you from phishing, scam texts, malicious sites, and more. With real-time AI-powered Scam Guard built right in. 

Download for iOS → Download for Android → 

Advanced Flow will make Android sideloading safer

23 March 2026 at 13:42

Google has announced the introduction of Advanced Flow, designed to let Android users install apps from unverified developers more safely than before.

This process is known as sideloading. It means installing an app on your device from somewhere other than the Google Play store, usually by downloading and opening its installation file yourself.​

Right now, that typically involves:

  • Downloading an app file (an APK on Android) from a website, email, or another source instead of Google Play.​
  • Manually installing it, often after turning on a setting that allows apps from “unknown” or “unverified” developers.

From Google’s point of view, this has been a security weak spot. Scammers regularly abuse sideloading to trick victims into installing malware while bypassing built‑in protections.

They often pressure victims into installing apps that turn out to be infostealers or other malware. According to research by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), scams caused an estimated $442 billion in losses last year.

So anything that helps reduce that risk is welcome.

What Google is changing isn’t dramatic, but it does make the process of installing an app from outside the official Play Store more secure. In simple terms, Advanced Flow adds extra steps and delays so scammers can’t rush people into disabling protections and installing their malware.

How Advanced Flow works

To sideload apps using Advanced Flow, users will need to go through a series of steps:

  • Enable developer mode in system settings. This is easy enough, and helps prevent accidental or one-tap bypasses often used in high-pressure scams.
  • Complete a quick safety check to make sure that no one is talking you into turning off your security. Scammers often pressure victims into disabling protections.
  • Restart your device, which cuts off any remote access or active phone calls a scammer might be using to guide you.
  • Wait one day, then you can confirm the change using biometrics (like fingerprint or face unlock) or your device PIN. This one-time, one-day delay breaks the urgency scammers rely on, giving you time to think.

Once you’ve confirmed you understand the risks, you’re all set to install apps from unverified developers. You can allow this for seven days or indefinitely. For safety, you’ll still see a warning that the app is from an unverified developer, but you can just tap “Install Anyway.”

In addition to the Advanced Flow, Google is introducing free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. These let developers share apps with a small group (up to 20 devices) without needing ID verification or a registration fee. 

What this means for users

So after these changes, these will be the options for users that have “developer mode” enabled on their Android device.

  • Sideloading directly from verified developers
  • Sideloading from developers with limited distribution accounts
  • Sideloading from unverified developers with Advanced Flow
3 sideloading options
Image courtesy of Google

Advanced Flow is expected to roll out in August 2026.

Overall, it seems a reasonable compromise. Sideloading isn’t going away, so this keeps that ability but adds meaningful barriers against scam‑driven installs, thwarting social‑engineering campaigns without outright killing power‑user workflows. The one-day delay could turn out to be frustrating though, even if it’s only a one-time event.


We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.

A DarkSword hangs over unpatched iPhones

19 March 2026 at 13:27

Researchers at Google have identified an iOS exploit chain, named DarkSword, that has been used since late last year by multiple actors to infect iPhones with malware in targeted attacks.

DarkSword combines six vulnerabilities in iOS and Safari to deploy malware on the device. It demonstrates, once again, how important it is to keep up with updates.

The exploit works against iPhones running iOS versions 18.4 through 18.7, and simply visiting a malicious or compromised website with a vulnerable device can be enough to get infected (a drive‑by attack).

The researchers found that several groups are using the tool to attack their preferred targets. DarkSword has been used both by commercial spyware vendors and by state‑backed actors, with campaigns observed in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Ukraine.

In Saudi Arabia, attackers used a fake Snapchat lookalike. In Ukraine, attackers compromised at least two Ukrainian websites, including a government site.

Upon successful exploitation, malware is executed on the device. The type of malware depends on the attacker. In the Ukrainian campaign, that malware is known as Ghostblade, one example of a payload delivered via the DarkSword exploit chain.

Ghostblade is a JavaScript‑based data‑stealer that exfiltrates unique device identifiers, SMS and iMessage messages, call history, contacts, Wi‑Fi configuration and passwords, Safari cookies and browsing history, location data, notes, calendar entries, health data, photos, iCloud Drive files, SIM information, emails, a list of installed apps, saved passwords, and the message history from Telegram and WhatsApp.

Beyond this, Ghostblade stands out because it also targets cryptocurrency‑related data, actively seeking apps for major exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, Kucoin, OKX, Mexc) and wallet apps (Ledger, Trezor, Metamask, Exodus, Uniswap, Phantom, Gnosis Safe). Researchers note that Ghostblade is not built for long‑term surveillance: once it has collected the data, it deletes its temporary files and terminates itself.

The risks

Vulnerable devices can be infected just by visiting that one malicious or compromised website. And the consequences can be severe. DarkSword turns a single website visit into full device compromise, followed by Ghostblade exfiltrating as much data as it can in one go.

  • Data theft: Ghostblade and related payloads can grab communications (SMS, iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp, email), photos, health data, location history, Wi‑Fi credentials, keychain items, and more in one sweep.
  • Crypto theft and profiling: The malware enumerates specific exchange and wallet apps, which allows both direct theft and lets criminals use the stolen information to build a detailed profile of financially interesting targets.
  • Forensic evasion: Because Ghostblade wipes its own traces after stealing all that information, it can take a long time before victims figure out something is wrong. Many victims may never know they were compromised.

Since the same exploit kit is being reused across commercial surveillance firms and state‑aligned actors, the number of campaigns and victims will increase over time.

The solutions

Update to the latest iOS available for your device. DarkSword can affect iOS versions 18.4 through 18.7, and Apple’s recent releases include fixes for CVE‑2026‑20700 and related vulnerabilities.

If you have reason to believe you’re a potential target for attacks of this nature (journalists, activists, or people that have access to sensitive data) it is advisable to enable Lockdown Mode:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Privacy & Security.
  3. Scroll down, tap Lockdown Mode, then tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
  4. Read the presented information and tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
  5. Tap Turn On & Restart.
  6. Enter your device passcode when prompted.

Do inform yourself about the consequences of turning on Lockdown Mode. It makes your device a lot less user-friendly, but it has proven effective against highly targeted attacks.

Here are some more general tips:

  • Use up-to-date, real-time anti-malware protection for your device to block malicious websites where possible.
  • Avoid following links sent in unsolicited messages, especially for services like Snapchat, crypto exchanges, banking, or email.
  • Use content blockers (for example Malwarebytes Browser Guard) in Safari to reduce exposure to malicious content (though they are not a silver bullet for zero‑days).
  • Move high‑value crypto assets to hardware wallets or dedicated devices, and use mobile wallets only for smaller amounts.
  • Use a password manager with strong authentication, and turn on extra security settings like Face ID/Touch ID and avoid auto‑filling high‑risk credentials.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication (FIDO2 security keys or app‑based 2FA) on exchanges and financial accounts, so stolen passwords alone are not enough to plunder your accounts.
  • Regularly review app permissions and revoke access to sensitive data (Location, Photos, Contacts, Microphone, Camera, Health) revoke where unnecessary.

We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.

Google cracks down on Android apps abusing accessibility

17 March 2026 at 10:59

Google just dropped a bombshell for app developers with the latest version of its Android mobile operating system. The company can now prevent apps from installing if they try to use the system’s accessibility features.

The new development, live in version 17.2 of Android, is all about security, explains the company. It stops certain kinds of apps from using the accessibility service if Advanced Protection Mode (APM) is enabled.

The accessibility API lets app developers support users living with disabilities who need extra help using their phones. Apps can use this API to access the screen in unique ways, control input for the user, and use voice services, for example.

Sadly, as with most useful tools, someone will always find a way to misuse it and ruin it for everyone else. Malware developers have been using this API for years as a way into your bank account. The accessibility service has a lot of power: Any app with permissions to use it can read what’s on your screen.

Many Android banking Trojans are little more than accessibility API wrappers with criminal intent. They steal 2FA codes, impersonate victims, and drain accounts while victims sleep.

Two tricks dominate. The first is fake overlays. The accessibility API lets you put overlays on top of another app’s screen. Banking and cryptocurrency Trojan developers can use this to capture your keystrokes (you think you’re just logging into your banking app, but malware is collecting everything you type).

The second is permission abuse. Once the Trojan has your passwords, it can authorize its own transactions.

The number of malware frameworks taking advantage of the accessibility API has grown. DroidLock uses it to steal your personal data before demanding a ransom. Albiriox uses it to install itself and give remote control to attackers halfway around the world.

We saw both in December, and just last month Malwarebytes researcher Stefan Dasic noticed an accessibility service-abusing malware program posing as a fake Google Security page.

Google’s nuclear option

Google has tried before to curb misuse of the API. In 2017, it warned developers to justify their use of accessibility features or risk removal from the Play Store. Developers revolted, and Google relented. But then, in November 2021, it began demanding permission forms for accessibility API usage for Android 12+ apps.

Now the company is getting tougher still, enforcing stricter accessibility API rules. Apps can no longer freely enable accessibility services using a simple software flag. Instead, only apps whose core purpose is accessibility will be allowed to use it.

Google’s examples include screen readers, switch inputs, voice controls, and Braille displays. With these new rules, password managers or automation apps aren’t getting to the accessibility API anymore.

At least, not if the user has APM turned on.

Launched in May last year, APM is Google’s version of Apple’s Lockdown Mode. It introduces far tighter security controls for people who switch it on, making it harder for malware to exploit them.

The trade-off for that extra security is more limited functionality. For example, only apps from trusted sources will install, and data transfer via USB is restricted. Accessibility API access is now restricted too.

So now, you can be a password manager or an accessibility tool, but not both. Developers relying on accessibility for convenience features will need to find another way.

This is Google acknowledging that some APIs are too dangerous to leave open, even if some legitimate apps suffer. The company is betting that most users care more about not getting robbed than having their password manager use the accessibility API for convenience.

Malware authors will adapt, as always. But for now, Google just made phones with APM turned on a lot harder to mess with.


We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.

This Android vulnerability can break your lock screen in under 60 seconds

12 March 2026 at 14:13

A vulnerability in Android devices can allow attackers to gain access to a phone in less than a minute.

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-20435, affects certain MediaTek SoCs (System-on-a-Chip) using Trustonic’s TEE (Trusted Execution Environment). That may sound rare, but reportedly that’s about one in four Android phones, mostly cheaper models.

Researchers demonstrated the vulnerability by connecting a vulnerable phone to a laptop over USB, showing how their exploit recovered the handset PIN, decrypted storage, and extracted seed phrases from several software wallets.

You may argue that if an attacker has your phone, you’re already in trouble. Which is true. But the protection you rely on to keep your data safe if your phone is lost or stolen doesn’t help one bit here.

The exploit was able to extract the root keys protecting full‑disk encryption before Android fully boots and then decrypt storage. While full‑disk encryption and lock screen are supposed to be your safety net if the phone is stolen or lost, those layers fail on affected devices.

Is my phone affected?

If you’re not sure whether this vulnerability affects your mobile device, you can look up your phone on a platform like GSMArena  or your vendor’s website to see which SoC it uses, then cross‑check with MediaTek’s March Security bulletin under CVE-2026-20435.

MediaTek released a firmware patch that device manufacturers can include in security updates for their phones. So all you can do is make sure you’re fully patched with the latest security update from your manufacturer. Which, depending on the patch gaps and how far along your device is in the EOL cycle, can take anywhere from days to forever.

EOL (End-of-Life) refers to the point in a product’s lifecycle when the manufacturer stops selling, marketing, or providing full support for it.

But obviously the best advice we can give you is to keep a close eye on your phone, so it doesn’t get lost or stolen.


We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.

Microsoft Authenticator could leak login codes—update your app now

12 March 2026 at 11:24

A vulnerability in Microsoft Authenticator for both iOS and Android (CVE-2026-26123) could leak your one-time sign-in codes or authentication deep links to a malicious app on the same device. 

Deep links are predefined URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) that allow direct access to an activity in a web or mobile application when clicked. In simple terms, they are specifically constructed links used to open an app and complete actions like signing in.

Microsoft Authenticator is a mobile app that generates time-based one-time codes and handles sign-in links and QR-based logins for Microsoft and other accounts. It is widely used for multi-factor authentication (MFA) on personal phones, including BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) devices that protect access to corporate and production services.

This vulnerability affects users who have Microsoft Authenticator installed on an iOS or Android device. For the vulnerability to be exploited, the user would first need to install a malicious app on their device and then accidentally choose that app to handle a sign‑in deep link.

If that happens, the malicious app receives the one-time code or sign-in information and can potentially use it to authenticate as the victim.​

If successful, an attacker could:

  • Complete login flows to services that trust your Microsoft Authenticator codes.
  • Access the information and services available to the compromised account (email, files, cloud apps, or production systems in a BYOD context).​
  • Potentially pivot to additional accounts if those are also protected by codes delivered via Authenticator on the same device.

How to stay safe

The fix for CVE-2026-26123 is already included in current releases, so installing updates is the most effective mitigation.

  • On iOS: Open the App Store. Tap the My Account button or your photo at the top of the screen. Scroll down to see pending updates and release notes. Tap Update next to an app to update only that app, or tap Update All.
  • On Android: Open the Google Play Store app. At the top right, tap the profile icon. Tap Manage apps & device. Under “Updates available,” tap See details. Next to the app you want to update, tap Update. To update all your apps at the same time, tap Update all.

Note: If your device manufacturer has implemented a different method to apply app updates, the steps may vary slightly.

If you are temporarily unable to update the app, avoid installing new apps that request to handle authentication links, QR-based sign-ins, or web-to-app sign-in flows.

When scanning QR codes or tapping sign-in links, verify that the handler is Microsoft Authenticator or another trusted app, and not an unknown, recently installed, or otherwise suspicious app.​

Where possible, use alternative MFA options you already trust (such as built-in authentication in your password manager or platform-specific solutions like Apple’s password features) until you can apply the update.

Use anti-malware protection for your mobile devices that can help detect malicious apps.


We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.

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