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Fake Fortnite Android Apps Spread Across Internet (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

Fake Fortnite Android apps are spreading around the internet, even though the game has not been officially released for the platform. From a report: Videos on YouTube with links to scam versions of the popular game have been viewed millions of times, according to security experts. None of the fake apps has made it on to the Google Play Store, but they are easy to find on search engines. According to one security firm, the apps look legitimate. Talking about one particular fake app, Nathan Collier, an analyst from security firm Malwarebytes, said: "It's so realistic that some may recognise it from the Apple iOS version. By stealing the icon directly from Apple, how could it not look real? In fact the app redirects users to a browser asking them to download a number of other apps in order to play the game. The scammers are paid each time someone downloads an app from the website.

30 comments

  1. Experts! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Gotta be a security expert to read the views counter on a YouTube video.

    1. Re:Experts! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dear cdreimer,

      The credits have run out on your account.

      You can buy another 750 views for 20$:

      1) Go to our web site.
      2) Deposit money in your account (minimum 20$)
      3) Click on "Buy views"
      4) Enter the URL of your video
      5) Click submit

      We are pleased to do business with you.
      --
      The Team

  2. Huh? by PCM2 · · Score: 1

    OK based on the summary I think .. I THINK there may be a thing called Fortnite. I'm pretty much out of my depth after that.

    --
    Breakfast served all day!
    1. Re:Huh? by fattmatt · · Score: 1

      Fornite: A popular game where grown men dress up like women and dance like tweenagers.

    2. Re:Huh? by Igorod · · Score: 1

      Heathen.

    3. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Think Hunger Games meets playground hide-and-seek meets really shit computer graphics.

    4. Re:Huh? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      OK based on the summary I think .. I THINK there may be a thing called Fortnite. I'm pretty much out of my depth after that.

      It's a game people play for about two weeks, before getting bored of it.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    5. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Two weeks? You're funny, it's user base has done nothing but grow. People play it just as much as hardcore CoD or Halo players play...

    6. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      P.S. the correct wiki link is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortnite ... a fortnight is a measurement of time.

    7. Re: Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It was a pun you nitwit.
      Fortnight = 2 weeks.
      Now it's not funny anymore because you made us explain it.

    8. Re: Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes that was the joke, dumbass.

    9. Re:Huh? by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 1

      The most interesting drama in 'The Hunger Games' book series happens outside the arena. Just as in real life gaming.

  3. Ah, Google by ScentCone · · Score: 0

    So, Google runs the Android eco-system AND YouTube, but can't stop millions of views of scammy stuff like this that's fake by definition ... but they'll kill off the entire channel of some guy who shows you how to repair the trigger on your dad's old deer rifle because that's obviously evil.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    1. Re: Ah, Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Their AI should have caught this! Why didn't it work???

    2. Re:Ah, Google by DonkeyG5 · · Score: 2

      but they'll kill off the entire channel of some guy who shows you how to repair the trigger on your dad's old deer rifle because that's obviously evil.

      Actually it's even better than this. They demonetized a channel of a nice guy who makes reviews of food. No swearing, no nsfw material, just a nice guy talking about fast food in the most polite possible way.

    3. Re: Ah, Google by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He was fat shaming with all that smugness and you know it.
      Sitting, acting happy to rub it in how most people have to limit fast food intake and this asshole is eating it all the time!

    4. Re: Ah, Google by ScentCone · · Score: 1

      If being a smug asshole is a good enough reason to shut down someone's YT channel, why does Google still allow ... well, any couple hundred Hollywood types to hold court there? Because Google likes to cherry pick their outrage and spank those who aren't in line with their personal sensibilities.

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    5. Re: Ah, Google by JackieBrown · · Score: 1

      Their AI should have caught this! Why didn't it work???

      It was to busy firing people.

      https://tech.slashdot.org/stor...

  4. Monetization hypocracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They mass demonetize videos on YouTube but the videos they do monetize are for scams.If Google can only get advertising revenue from scam companies then maybe it's time to change business models.

  5. "security firm" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    According to one security firm, the apps look legitimate

    How the fuck can software "look" legitimate or illegitimate? What, the filename is spelled correct? (Did you spot that? A real post would have said "correctly." That's how you know I'm fake.)

    And yes, it goes on to "explain," and the explanation is every bit as stupid as you might imagine. You're not imagining something stupid? Then try harder!

  6. android = malware by ole_timer · · Score: 0

    the subject says it all

    --
    nothing to see here - move along
    1. Re:android = malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Awww, poor kiddo had his feelings hurt at some point.

    2. Re:android = malware by tkotz · · Score: 1

      Put malware in the location referred to as android?

    3. Re:android = malware by ole_timer · · Score: 1

      sure, that programming reference too...If you own an android, you have malware (sung to a catchy tune)

      --
      nothing to see here - move along
  7. Paid for downloads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Great Just start downloading the file over and over and don't install it. The dumbass that's paying them can do just that.

  8. nothing changes by sad_ · · Score: 1

    the number one security issue on any platform is the user.
    even after all these years, after every incident like this, it's mentioned not to do this kind of thing.
    still it happens again and again and again ... and will keep happening for ever.

    --
    On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.