--- title: New Malware Appears To Be Android App For Free Netflix description: New Malware Appears To Be Android App For Free Netflix --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # New Malware Appears To Be Android App For Free Netflix New Malware Appears To Be Android App For Free Netflix ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 3 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/04/17/new-malware-appears-to-be-android-app-for-free-netflix) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/04/17/new-malware-appears-to-be-android-app-for-free-netflix&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3ENew+Malware+Appears+To+Be+Android+App+For+Free+Netflix%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3ENew+Malware+Appears+To+Be+Android+App+For+Free+Netflix%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/04/17/new-malware-appears-to-be-android-app-for-free-netflix) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)If you have an Android device and you're something of an app fanatic, you may have been tempted by an app called FlixOnline, which was available on the Google Play Store for a time. The app's description promises a free trial subscription to Netflix, which naturally prompted many people to download it and give it a try. Unfortunately, instead of giving the promised free Netflix trial, it installed malware on the devices of everyone who decided to give the app a spin. If you're one of those, by all means, uninstall the app right away. On installation, the app asks for "Overlay," "Notification" and "Battery Optimization Ignore" permissions. If you grant those, then it has everything it needs to serve up fake login overlays that lay atop legitimate apps and will invariably cause some people to give their login credentials to the people controlling the app. If you also have WhatsApp installed, your problems will get even worse, based on research conducted by Check Point. **Here's what they had to say about it:** "*Check Point Research (CPR) recently discovered malware on Google Play hidden in a fake application that is capable of spreading itself via users' WhatsApp messages. If the user downloaded the fake application and unwittingly granted the malware the appropriate permissions, the malware is capable of automatically replying to victim's' incoming WhatsApp messages with a payload received from a command-and-control (C&C) server. This unique method could have enabled threat actors to distribute phishing attacks, spread false information or steal credentials and data from users' WhatsApp accounts, and more."* Bottom line: If you're a WhatsApp user and you also downloaded this app, you're probably infecting all your contacts with the same malware, or worse. If you want to double check your phone to make sure it's not there and uninstall it if it is, just head to "Settings," then "Apps and Notifications" and "App Info" to be sure you it is completely removed. As an added precaution, be sure you change the passwords of any apps you may have logged into since installing it on your device. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Business Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... Jul 28, 2026 Compliance [HIPAA Security Rule Changes Are Delayed To 2027: Why Healthcare Organizations Should Not Wait](https://blog.securafy.com/hipaa-security-rule-changes-are-delayed-to-2027-why-healthcare-organizations-should-not-wait) The updated HIPAA Security Rule won't take effect until 2027, but healthcare ... 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