If you didn't know : Some mobile ads can hijack and steal phone contacts

[bobito]

Several smartphone apps are running ads from rogue advertising networks that change smartphone settings and take contact information without permission.

Some networks termed as aggressive ad networks can disguise ads as text message notification or app icons and sometimes change browser settings and bookmarks. Often, the ad will upload your contacts list to the ad's network servers. This information can then be sold to the marketers or advertizing companies.

This is a growing problem and it is believed that about 5% of free mobile apps use "an aggressive" ad network to make money.





cnn