Khaberni - The cybersecurity company "Cleafy" has issued a serious and urgent warning regarding a fake app called "Modpro IP TV + VPN," which has been found to contain advanced malicious software known as "Klopatra," capable of stealing banking accounts and fully controlling infected devices remotely.
According to a report by the company published on the British site "Metro," at least 3,000 devices worldwide have already downloaded the app, which spreads through harmful websites that deceive users into offering free "VPN" services and encrypted television broadcasting.
Immediate threat
The company stated in its announcement, "As soon as the Klopatra software is installed, the real threat begins, as the app immediately requests a large number of permissions, most notably the permission to access Accessibility Services in the Android system."
Accessibility services are a legitimate tool designed to help people with disabilities use their devices, but they grant apps extensive powers to read screen content and execute commands on behalf of the user, a feature that malicious software turns into a dangerous spying tool.
More than 40 modifications
Security experts say that the malicious software "Klopatra" has undergone more than 40 modifications since it was first discovered in March, making it more sophisticated and capable of bypassing modern protection systems.
According to ongoing investigations, the source of the malicious software traces back to Turkey, where it began spreading through fake links and suspicious pages on the internet, and not through official app stores like "Google Play".
Important tips
Cleafy company warns users against downloading any free "VPN" app from untrusted sources, urging the use of only known and security-proven solutions, in addition to regularly monitoring bank accounts and immediately reporting any suspicious activity.
The experts confirmed that this type of fake apps poses an increasing threat to personal financial security, as it grants hackers access to passwords, verification codes, and even conducting banking transactions without the device owner's knowledge.
How to detect a hack?
In this context, "Metro" offers 4 steps through which you can detect if your phone has been hacked:
1- Battery issues: Malware running in the background can consume power and drain battery life.
2- High data usage: Hackers could take over your phone and use your data without your knowledge.
3- Slow performance: Downloading malware onto the device uses system resources and slows down functions.
4- Unknown apps: If you discover an unfamiliar app on your device, it's likely that you have been hacked.
