Archive · 13 Aug 2025
New Android Spyware Disguised as Antivirus
Imagine a fake antivirus app that pretends to protect your phone.
It asks for special permissions, like reading your messages and seeing where you are.
Once you give it those permissions, it starts secretly collecting your private info and sending it to someone else.
The app usually arrives through messages, tricking you into installing it.
To stay safe, don't install apps from links in messages, and always check the permissions an app requests.
A new Android spyware, LunaSpy, is disguised as an antivirus or banking protection app.
The app tricks users into granting permissions to access sensitive data like texts and location.
LunaSpy spreads through messaging apps by users sideloading a malicious APK.
Once installed, it steals data and sends it to a network of servers.
Users are advised to avoid installing apps from chat links and review app permissions.
- Who
- LunaSpy targets Android users.
- What
- LunaSpy, a new Android spyware, masquerades as an antivirus app to steal user data.
- When
- The spyware is newly identified.
- Where
- The spyware affects Android devices.
- Why
- To steal sensitive data such as texts, location, and credentials.
Users
Security Experts
App Installation
Users
Users may trust and install apps from unknown sources, unaware of the risks.
Security Experts
Security experts and app developers advise against installing APKs from untrusted sources
- Spyware Name
- LunaSpy
- Disguise
- Antivirus or Banking Protection App
- Distribution
- Messaging Apps (Telegram, etc.)
- Permissions requested
- Accessibility access, Notification access, etc.
- Data Stolen
- Texts, credentials, location, audio, video
- Action Required
- Uninstall suspicious apps, review app permissions, change passwords.