Screen Overlay is simply one Screen overlapping another. It has been maliciously exploited by attackers over the web for a long time. And now the threat of Screen Overlay is increasing on mobile apps too. Attackers use Screen Overlay to either tap the user’s device or read the sensitive data in it. Let us learn how it poses threat to your application.
Screen Overlay attacks on Mobile Apps?
Fraudsters are always on the hunt for sensitive information and exploit the user’s lack of awareness. This information can be exploited for theft, ransom, or traded on the dark web. Such attacks are implemented in many ways for mobile apps:
- Hijacking the real app and pushing the fake app into the foreground
- Overlaying a malicious fake button on top of a toast notification to trick the user into clicking on the malicious content.
- Planting a fake Screen to ask for sensitive information like banking credentials, PIN, security questions, etc.
- Making the attack more believable and effective by combining social engineering techniques with Overlay attacks.
Fraudsters Targeting Banking Mobile Apps with Screen Overlay Attacks
Fraudsters use Screen Overlay to trick users into clicking or entering information. Mobile Banking Apps carry the reputation of the banks and are highly trusted by people. By designing Screen Overlay attacks on mobile banking apps attackers exploit users’ trust in the authenticity of the app for harvesting data. It is crucial for banking apps to deploy protection against contemporary attack vectors like Screen Overlay.
Screen Overlay is targeted on mobile banking apps primarily for:
- Identity Theft- Attackers target interfaces where the user inputs their identification-related information such as User IDs, passwords, etc.
- Financial Frauds- Attacks aimed at causing financial frauds exploit Screen Overlay in different ways like few mentioned above.
- Large Amount of Data- Mobile banking apps hold large amounts of critical data including name, location, banking patterns etc.
- Appjacking the User to Download Malware- A regular mobile banking user wouldn’t question a random download from the app they trust.
- Large Scope for Attack- Even the users that are aware of common fraud techniques can be tricked with a Screen Overlay attack.
How AppProtectt helps?
AppProtectt from Protectt.ai offers security against a Screen Overlay attack. AppProtectt detects a Screen Overlay over the Mobile App. Since all such attacks are targeted toward sensitive mobile apps.
AppProtectt prevents Overlay attacks by avoiding the fake Screen from being visible to the user, hence scrapping any chance of misleading the user. In other cases, AppProtectt ends the user journey with a pop-up informing “Screen Overlay Detected” and blocking any further app exploitation.
This can be used to create directed customer awareness and avoid any further attacks.
AppProtectt, by Protectt.ai, is the ideal state-of-the-art RASP solution that provides end-to-end protection. The security solution assists the REs in handling with finesse the Mobile Payment Application Security Control aspect of the RBI’s master circular.
Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AppProtectt is the ultimate solution to protect and safeguard payment or banking applications from malicious cyber-attacks and unwanted intrusions.
AppProtectt ensures quick implementation and reduces TCO. AppProtectt by Protectt.ai provides 360-degree security with 50+ cyber security features that enable Runtime Application Self Protection (RASP) for advanced detection and mitigation of all types of mobile threats – including prevention from App tampering to Reverse engineering.
Stay protectt-ed!
As written by Pravin Velmurugan – Product Engineer, Protectt.ai