Technology
- Home
- Technology
- News
iOS App Store apps with screenshot-reading malware found for the first time
Apps distributed through both Apple and Google’s app stores are hiding malicious screenshot-reading code that’s being used to steal cryptocurrency, the cybersecurity software firm Kaspersky reported today. It’s the “first known case” of apps infected with mal…

Published a month ago on Feb 11th 2025, 5:00 am
By Web Desk

Apps distributed through both Apple and Google’s app stores are hiding malicious screenshot-reading code that’s being used to steal cryptocurrency, the cybersecurity software firm Kaspersky reported today. It’s the “first known case” of apps infected with malware that uses OCR tech to extract text from images making it into Apple’s App Store, according to a blog post detailing the company’s findings.
Kaspersky says it discovered the code from this particular malware campaign, which it calls “SparkCat,” in late 2024 and that the frameworks for it appear to have been created in March of the same year.
On iOS and in some Android instances, the malware works by triggering a request to access users’ photo galleries when they attempt to use chat support within the infected app. Once permission is granted, it uses Google OCR tech, which lets it decipher text found in photos, to look for things like screenshots of crypto wallet passwords or recovery phrases. The software then sends any images it finds back to the attackers, who can then use the info to access the wallets and steal crypto.
Kaspersky says it can’t “confirm with certainty the infection was a result of a supply chain attack or deliberate action by the developers.” The company names two AI chat apps that seem to have been created for the campaign and appear to still be available on the App Store, called WeTink and AnyGPT. Additionally, Kaspersky found the malicious code in a legitimate-seeming food delivery app called ComeCome, which you can also still download.
Neither Apple nor Google immediately responded to The Verge’s request for comment.

Four killed, three injured in separate terrorist attacks on police stations in KP
- a day ago

Byrd gets first ECU hit 3 years after amputation
- 7 hours ago
Five killed as coaster plunges into ravine in Azad Kashmir
- 20 hours ago
New Zealand storms to nine-wicket win over Pakistan in first T20I
- 21 hours ago

One down, three to go: Chelsea on course for quadruple after League Cup win
- 7 hours ago
Fire at Kochani nightclub kills 51, injures over 100
- a day ago

Woman dies after falling from Karachi building during drug raid
- 21 hours ago

Iran’s military vows retaliation in response to Trump’s threats
- 18 hours ago

Ration distribution turns tragic in Karachi as elderly woman dies in stampede
- 15 hours ago
33 killed, dozens injured as tornadoes hit Central US
- 21 hours ago

FIA, IB receive praise from PM for dismantling human trafficking network
- 15 hours ago

Karachi's Soba Nagar transforms through collaborative WASH initiative
- 19 hours ago
You May Like
Trending