Apps on Microsoft Store Displaying Unwanted Content

Symantec Threat Intelligence: Dozens of Apps on Microsoft Store Displaying Pornographic and Gambling Content

On 14 March, Symantec found 81 deceptive potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), some of which display pornographic images and gambling content on the Microsoft Store.

While some have been removed, most of these apps are still available to download from the app store.

The apps cover a range of different categories such as sports, games, news, tips, etc. They appear to be published by more than 30 different developers. A full list of the 81 apps, their store page links and author names, as well as accompanying images and information can be found on the Symantec Threat Intelligence blog: https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/pua-microsoft-store-porn-gambling.

Fake apps

To trick users, the apps use familiar names from some popular brands in their titles, such asWix Updates Application,Antivirus Avira App,Norton Antivirus Updates App,McAfee Antivirus Updates News,Tinder Dating Updates, Tips and Games, andGrindr Updates.

However, these apps have nothing to do with the brands or their original apps. In fact, some of them display content such as pornographic images and advertisements for gambling websites. Other apps merely redirect users to the legitimate website of the brand they are claiming to be related to but they all have the ability to display whatever content they chose at a later date.

To read the full Threat Intelligence Report please go to https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/pua-microsoft-store-porn-gambling.

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