Tempted to try out the much talked about Instagram app? Well, be careful where you get it from – as malware authors are distributing malware disguised as the popular app.

A day after the acquisition announcement, Instagram became the top free iPhone app on Apple’s App Store, and Android downloads have been off the charts (way over 5 million in less than a week, though Instagram has yet to share official numbers). The Instagram hype is higher than ever, and malware writers are of course looking to cash in.

They have set up fake websites advertising fake Instagram apps, which by the way don’t really do a good job of looking like the real one. Sophos Security has found a malicious program, identified as Andr/Boxer-F, a trojan designed to swipe data from your device. In the background, the malicious app sends expensive international text messages to earn its creators revenue.

Android lets you download and install apps from anywhere. If you want the official version of an app, however, get it from the official Google Play store. Here is the official Instagram link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android.

So Today we find that Android has a new fiend in the world. This one will record your calls and listen to your fantasy baseball talk; this should be nothing new for Android users – a Trojan that is – we have had several the past 6 months… With users travelling the back area of the world of Android Markets could easily catch this.

It has not been reported in the wild yet, and may not max your credit cards out but significant others, and corporate users might want to use this on suspicious people. So basically keep your eyes and ears open on what you download and what it does.

So PPCGeeks, keep yourself aware, watch what you do and if you install risky programs be prepared for the costs. What do you all think on these mobile phone Trojans, and malware? Tell me below!

Source: Engadget