After covering an unexpected major iOS malware attack last week, Mobile Threat Monday is back to its usual routine of telling you about much more pedestrian cases of malicious Android apps. But like we've said before, a boring threat is still a dangerous threat, and it's worth discussing so you can know how to stay safe.  

Security company Malwarebytes has given us details about a new fake app, Android malware, that wants to bombard you with commercials.

What's That Sound?

Fake Android apps are nothing new. A popular scheme for hackers is to dupe victims into downloading malware pretending to be a legitimate app. Anything from a popular video game to an innocuous flashlight could be malware in disguise. Scammers want their tainted goods to look safe, and what seems safer than a recognizable brand? This particular malware, designated Android/Trojan.Clicker.m by Malwarebytes, is a fake version of an app called Sound Generator.   

The real Sound Generator "enables you to generate sounds of any frequency." Clicker.m on the other hand frequently generates commercials. Once this malware gets on your device it displays advertising based on events triggered by other apps. So if an app does something as simple as checking your phone's battery level all of a sudden there's another ad in your face. Not only is this annoying and earning revenue for the hackers at your expense, clicker apps also usually increase data traffic, which could cost you even more on your next bill. It makes you wonder why mobile ads get such a bad rap these days. 

Staying Safe

Fake apps like Clicker.m thrive in the lawless wastelands of third party Android app markets. They also spread through file sharing, which helped XcodeGhost become the biggest name in iOS malware. So stay in civilization and only download your apps from official sources like the Google Play store.

A crucial part of keeping your Android phone or tablet safe is using some kind of antivirus software from providers like Malwarebytes. You can also check out our newest Editors' Choice award winners for Android antivirus Norton Security and Antivirus and Bitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus. Don't get tricked by copycat apps. You can't beat the real thing.