{
  "id": 6896521,
  "title": "One click, one download: How social media ads can lead to malware, financial fraud",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/one-click-one-download-how-social-media-ads-can-lead-to-malware",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-12T08:55:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/how-social-media-ads-can-lead-to-malware-financial-fraud-10874932/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Instagram advertisement can lead to a malicious app being downloaded onto a user's phone, resulting in financial fraud according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The apps, such as Night Play and Reloop, are often disguised as entertainment or adult content and are promoted through Instagram ads. Once installed, the malware can gain accessibility permissions, allowing it to control the device and install additional applications. The apps may also install a VPN to route internet traffic through attacker-controlled servers, putting users at risk of unauthorised financial transactions and other forms of cyber fraud. To avoid such scams, users are advised to download apps only from trusted sources like the Google Play Store, avoid downloading APKs from advertisements, and be cautious with sensitive permissions like accessibility and VPN access.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}