Porn-themed Android Ransomware Takes Your Picture Before Asking For Money

An anonymous reader writes with a link to The Stack's report that researchers at security firm zScaler have spotted a clever new variety of Android-based ransomware, which takes advantage of phones' built-in cameras to add a personal touch; it activates the camera to take a snapshot of the user, which is then incorporated into its blackmail note. "The crudely-planned app features an extraordinarily demanding privacy/functionality swap at install, and proceeds to demand a $500 'FBI fine' via PayPal, rather than any of the cryptocurrencies which most ransomware authors currently favour."

Comments

Re:Be prepared to wipe your phone at any time?

[ColdWetDog]

I'm not sure I get this. Who's walking around with a phone that they're not prepared to wipe at a moment's notice anyway?

Everyone else on the planet.