WARNING! BBM FOR ANDROID IS A FAKE!

Users of mobile devices running Google's Android operating system were warned Wednesday against downloading a so-called BBM (Blackberry Messenger) for Android app, which is adware in disguise.

Security researcher Graham Cluley said the fake "BBM for Android" app appears to exploit a recent announcement by BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins that BBM may go multi-platform and be available for iPhone and Android sometime this year.

"(So far), more than 100,000 people were duped into installing adware that will put money into the pockets of scammers who simply stumbled across the simple plan of pretending their app was the hotly-anticipated BBM for Android," Cluley said on his website.

He noted the app managed to make it to Android's app store Google Play, as “blackberry messenger bbm” from RIM.

Yet, Cluley said users should have started suspecting something is wrong, as RIM is BlackBerry's former name.

He advised Android users to take care over what apps they install, and "read the app’s reviews and check that you are familiar with the developer."

"Ultimately, you get to decide what apps get to run on your Android phone," he said.

Cluley said the app, once downloaded and run, will display a screen claiming it will not start working until June 27.

But the app will then ask the user to grant permission for the StartApp advertising network to install icons and bookmarks.

Meanwhile, Cluley chided the Google Play staff for allowing the app into the marketplace.

"Yes, they do try to weed out unsavoury Android apps, but it’s nothing like the iron fist that Apple applies," he said.

"Most Android users assume that if an app is in the official Google Play store, it must be safe to install on their phone. The truth, sadly, is rather different," he added.

SOURCE