Mobile apps are quickly becoming one of the most overlooked entry points in corporate cybersecurity. With many employees using their personal Android devices to check work emails, access internal tools, and log into business accounts, the risks tied to fake or malicious APKs are not only personal but also organizational.
It only takes one compromised device to expose sensitive data, unlock access to cloud platforms, or even serve as a launchpad for wider network intrusion. With thousands of new Android apps uploaded daily, many of them unverified and laced with data-stealing code, the threat is growing fast.
Fake APKs: A Growing Corporate Risk
APK files, Android Package Kits, are used to install apps on Android devices. While perfectly legitimate in most cases, they’re also widely exploited by cybercriminals. Malicious APKs are easy to modify and share outside official app stores, often slipping past security checks.
Thousands of fake APKs circulate daily via third-party stores, phishing emails, and messaging apps. They may pose as productivity tools or app updates but are often built to steal sensitive data, especially business credentials. Targets include:
- Work email logins and authentication tokens
- Banking and payment info
- Autofill data and saved passwords
- Access to tools like Slack, Trello, CRMs, or cloud storage
When an employee installs one of these APKs on a personal device they also use for work, attackers can gain a foothold in your corporate environment. One infected phone is all it takes to put internal data, customer records, and even core systems at risk.
The Fastest Way to Spot Malicious Android Apps Before It’s Too Late
Most traditional security tools struggle to catch fake Android apps before damage is done. Static scans often miss embedded malicious behavior, and antivirus software might flag threats only after execution, when it’s already too late.
But there’s a better way.
Security teams are now using interactive sandbox environments to observe exactly how an APK behaves before it ever touches a real device. Platforms like ANY.RUN allow analysts to upload suspicious APKs and interact with them inside a fully isolated Android virtual machine. You can simulate user actions, inspect network activity, and get a verdict usually in under 40 seconds.
See the full execution path, identify processes, and review file system changes or C2 communication, all without putting your environment at risk.
Let’s look at a real-world threat that was recently analyzed using this method.
Salvador Stealer Caught in Action
In a recent analysis, ANY.RUN’s Interactive Sandbox detected Salvador Stealer, a fake banking app designed to harvest sensitive user data. The sandbox environment made it possible to trace every move the malware made, from launch to data exfiltration.
View analysis session
In the top-right corner of the analysis window, the sandbox flags “Malicious Activity,” instantly indicating that the file is unsafe to run on any device. This fast detection alone can prevent a major compromise.
You’ll also see detailed labels confirming that the threat is a stealer, along with a full breakdown of all running processes. Clicking on any process reveals deep technical insights, file paths, behavior signatures, network requests, and more.
This turns every sandbox session into a ready-to-use incident report. Your team doesn’t have to guess how the malware works; they can trace every action, understand the full infection chain, and extract Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) in seconds. This level of transparency speeds up response, improves detection rules, and gives security teams a clear edge in identifying and containing threats before they escalate.
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After having a look at one of the processes, we see that the malware connects to Telegram, which serves as a Command and Control (C2) channel for the attackers. This allows them to receive stolen data in real time and manage infected devices remotely.
Other tactics used in this attack can be observed too:
All the tactics and techniques used by attackers detected inside ANY.RUN sandbox
During the first stage of the attack, the victim shares with their personal information, such as:
- Registered mobile number
- Aadhaar number
- PAN card details
- Date of birth
First stage of stealing personal information from victims
In the second stage, the fake interface asks for:
- Net banking user ID
- Password
Again, the stolen data is sent to two destinations; Telegram and a fake banking site.
ANY.RUN clearly displays this exfiltration in the HTTP request logs.
The stage of stealing banking credentials from victims
With ANY.RUN’s interactive Android sandbox, the entire attack chain becomes visible, from initial execution to data theft and C2 communication. Every step is captured in real time, giving teams the clarity they need to understand the threat, respond faster, and block similar attacks in the future.
See the Malware Before It Hits Your Network
Fake Android apps are getting smarter and faster. By the time traditional tools flag a threat, the damage may already be done. But with ANY.RUN’s Android sandbox, you can stay ahead of these attacks and detect malicious APKs before they reach your users.
With ANY.RUN, your team can:
- Prevent mobile-based breaches by analyzing suspicious APKs in a secure environment before they reach employee devices
- Reveal hidden threats early by simulating real user behavior and exposing malware that would otherwise slip through
- Accelerate incident response with instant verdicts and clear indicators of malicious activity
- Understand the full scope of attacks by mapping every process, connection, and data theft attempt in one place
- Share actionable intelligence across teams with detailed, ready-to-use reports and IOCs
Whether you’re working on a SOC team or managing mobile risk, this level of visibility gives you an edge.
Sign up for ANY.RUN with a business email and take control of Android threats before they take control of your data.
Also read: Cyber Security Basics & Prerequisites To Know Before Enrolling in Bootcamps & Trainings
