Malware infections on Android devices in Russia up 70% in six months

The number of malware-infected Android devices in Russia rose 70% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. CNews AI reported the figure, citing cybersecurity experts. They link the spike to users moving en masse to installing apps outside official stores.

Почему растёт число заражений

The specialists CNews AI spoke with say the main driver is that downloading APK files from third-party sources has become an everyday habit for Russian Android users. Some apps have been missing from official catalogs for several years, and smartphone owners have grown used to hunting for the software they need on third-party websites and unofficial app stores.

The official app store checks every app for malicious code before publishing it and scans already installed apps in the background. When a user downloads an APK file directly from a website, that check drops out of the chain, and a trojan or spyware can land on the device along with the app the user actually wanted.

• Infected devices rose 70% year over year in the first six months of 2026
• The figures primarily concern devices running Android
• The main driver is installing APK files from third-party sources instead of official stores
• Experts tie the trend to limited app availability in official catalogs in Russia

Какие риски несёт установка APK со стороны

Files downloaded outside a vetted store can contain malicious code disguised as a legitimate app, such as a banking client, a messenger, or a popular game. Modified or "cracked" versions of paid apps pose the greatest danger: attackers often use exactly these builds to embed trojans that steal passwords, verification codes, and access to banking apps.

Another common scenario is spyware. Once installed, it gains access to the device's SMS, contacts, and location, then sends that data to third parties without the phone owner's knowledge. Because these apps never go through official store moderation, spotting them before infection is practically impossible without an antivirus.

Как снизить риск заражения

The cybersecurity experts cited by CNews AI offer a standard set of recommendations for people who have to install APK files outside the official store. First, download files only from the app developer's own website, not from whatever catalog shows up first in search results. Third-party aggregators are where infected copies of popular software most often turn up.

Before installing, check the permissions the app requests. If a simple calculator or flashlight app asks for access to SMS, contacts, or location, that is a clear red flag and a reason to abort the install. Specialists also recommend keeping an up-to-date antivirus app on the device that can scan an APK file before it is installed and block malicious code in time.

Basic digital hygiene matters too: don't follow install links from unverified messages or ad banners, and regularly update the operating system and installed apps. Updates often patch the very vulnerabilities that Android malware authors exploit.

Что это значит

A 70% jump in infections in just six months shows that moving to app installs outside official stores carries a direct cost: risk to users' personal data and money. As long as app availability in Russia stays limited, and third-party APK sources remain effectively the only alternative for many services, the trend suggests the number of infected Android devices will keep growing. Experts advise checking a file's source before installing whenever possible and using antivirus apps when an APK comes from outside the official store.