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ZiNgA BuRgA · 04/04/2011 04:16 PM

Quote:A pirated version of an Android app is actually a Trojan that "shames" someone who installs it by sending an SMS message to all his contacts telling them of his piracy.

The original app is called Walk and Text, and costs $2.10 in the Android Market. The app uses the camera on the back of a smartphone to show a user a visual of his upcoming surroundings, which will supposedly prevent the user from running into the street or across a set of train tracks.

The pirated version is available from unofficial Android app markets, and once installed and redirects the pirate to the legitimate app in the Android Market, while also sending the following SMS message to the phone's entire contact list:

Quote:"Hey, just downlaoded [sic] a pirated app off the internet, Walk and Text for Android. Im stupid and cheap, it costed [sic] only 1 buck. Don't 'borrow' like I did!"
Finally, a message pops up on the phone's screen:

Quote:"Wee really hope you learned something from this. Check your phone bill ;) Oh and don't forget to buy the App from the Market."

http://hothardware.com/News/Shame-on-You...Shameware/

Not too sure about the shame thing (most people know I pirate stuff), but sending SMSes does cost, especially if you have a large contact list...
Meh, should always be skeptical of pirated apps anyway.

Barcelona · 04/04/2011 04:55 PM

that's fudgeed up, what if i don't have free texting and because of facebook's auto contact madjig on android have 800+ contacts? now im out 500$

ZiNgA BuRgA · 04/04/2011 04:57 PM

Well, always be skeptical of pirated stuff really. There could potentially be worse trojans around.

With PCs, there aren't many trojans that can easily rack up a bill on you. With mobiles, this is different, so you really need to be extra careful there.

Joom · 04/04/2011 06:05 PM

(04/04/2011 04:55 PM)Barcelona Wrote: that's fudgeed up, what if i don't have free texting and because of facebook's auto contact madjig on android have 800+ contacts? now im out 500$

I believe the saying goes "you do the crime, you pay the time".

Gadget · 04/04/2011 07:51 PM

That's just not right there should be some repercussions for this... honesty who's to say the actual owner of the phone pirated, someone else could have installed the software on a different persons phone without their knowledge and they have to suffer the consequences