This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
Google has taken swift action against CamScanner, a popular Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Scanner app, after researchers at Kaspersky discovered a malicious module in its recent updates. The module, identified as Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Necro.n, was found to be spreading malware through intrusive ads and unknowingly signing users up for paid subscriptions.
According to Kaspersky, the malicious module connects to the user's server and downloads additional code. The current version of the app is free of the malicious code, but the official CamScanner app is no longer available on the Play Store. Only the license app and other similarly named apps from different developers are available.
CamScanner has released a statement asking users to sideload their app by downloading the APK and promising to be back on the Play Store. The iOS app remains available and was not mentioned by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity and anti-virus provider, warns that any app, even one with a good reputation and millions of positive reviews, can turn into malware overnight. The company suggests that users be cautious and download apps from trusted sources.
Alternatives to CamScanner ¶
- Adobe Scan: A reliable and user-friendly app that works like magic and syncs documents for free.
- Google's inbuilt scanner found on Google Drive App: A convenient and secure option for scanning documents.
- Microsoft Office Lens: A powerful app for scanning documents and whiteboards.
- Other alternatives are available, but users should be cautious and download apps from trusted sources.
