Abuja, April 11, 2025 – The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has raised concerns over a deceptive website that is pretending to be the Google Play Store, warning the public of the cybersecurity threat it poses.
Hadiza Umar, who leads corporate affairs and external relations at NITDA, delivered the alert in Abuja on Friday. She revealed that the bogus site is being used to distribute a newly identified malware called the Play Praetor Trojan.
According to Umar, hackers are disguising malicious apps as legitimate ones and promoting them through cleverly disguised links. These links are being shared through a variety of tricks, such as phishing emails, misleading advertisements, and even text messages, in an effort to trick users into downloading harmful software.
Once installed, the malware grants hackers unauthorized access to the victim’s smartphone. With this access, attackers can steal personal data, capture login credentials, commit fraud, control the device remotely, and even install additional malware.
To reduce the risk of falling victim, NITDA is urging Nigerians to only install mobile apps from verified platforms like the official Google Play Store. Users are also encouraged to check the credibility of app developers, read user reviews before installing, regularly update their apps and operating systems to fix known security flaws, and use trusted mobile security software to help block potential threats.
The agency emphasized that staying informed and cautious is essential to avoid becoming a target of cybercrime.
