NITDA alerts Nigerians of dangerous, fake ‘Google play store’

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has alerted Nigerians about a fraudulent website impersonating the Google Play Store.

The fake website is also distributing a new malware strain known as the Play Praetor Trojan, Mrs Hadiza Umar, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, made this known on Friday in Abuja.

Umar stated that: “Cybercriminals are using fraudulent websites designed to mimic the Google Play Store to lure victims into downloading malicious applications,” she said.

She explained that the fake Play Store links were being circulated through various social engineering tactics, including phishing emails, malicious advertisements, and SMS messages.

According to Umar, once the fake application is installed, the Play Praetor Trojan gives attackers unauthorised access to the victim’s device.

“This access can lead to data theft, credential harvesting, financial fraud, remote control of the device, and further malware deployment,” she warned.

She urged the public to download apps only from the official Google Play Store or other trusted sources.

Umar also advised users to verify app developers, read reviews before installation, regularly update their devices and apps to patch vulnerabilities, and use reputable mobile security solutions to detect and block threats.

(NAN)