Watching free football on your phone? This Android malware could steal your bank details

Free football streaming apps on Android devices can expose users to banking malware, warns cybersecurity firm Group-IB. The malware, named RemControl, is spread through fake Google Play download pages for third-party IPTV apps like TVTap. Once installed, the app can install surveillance software that monitors devices and disrupts banking applications.

RemControl is a banking trojan that targets multiple countries, including Spain. It can place a fraudulent screen over genuine banking apps, record user interactions, collect keystrokes, and send the phone's screen to an operator in real time. The malware can also allow criminals to remotely interact with the infected device. While it's not confirmed that every targeted banking customer has suffered financial loss, the danger is significant.

Spanish football authorities warned about the threat of malicious software associated with illegal streaming services on October 14. To stay safe, users should avoid suspicious apps, check permissions before installing, and enable Google Play Protect. If a user suspects they have installed a malicious app, they should avoid banking apps, contact their bank immediately, change compromised passwords, and seek assistance from a computer expert.