Android users are being warned to envision their devices for 35 malicious Google Play Store apps. Researchers at cybersecurity experts BitDefender said these nasty apps are able to delivering unwanted ads to your Android phone, and that thousands and thousands of individuals have already downloaded the apps from the Google Play Store. Despite the Android app marketplace having strict measures in place which help protect users, threat actors have managed to bypass security systems in a sneaky way.
BitDefender said the offending apps modified their name and icon after being installed, which helps the apps stay undetected in your Android phone.
In total the 35 Android apps have been downloaded over two million times from the Google Play Store.
A few of the hottest apps that BitDefender highlighted – including GPS Location Maps – were each downloaded over 100,000 times.
This app, after being downloaded, modified its label to ‘Settings’ in an effort to confuse Android users after which began delivering its malicious advert payload.
Speaking concerning the threat, BitDefender said: “One in every of the ways cyber-criminals monetise their presence on Google Play is to serve ads to their victims. While this will sound diminutive, these ads served to victims are disrupting the usage experience and might link on to malware.
“Many legitimate apps offer ads to their users, but these ones show ads through their very own framework, which implies they may also serve other forms of malware to their victims. More often than not, users can decide to delete the applying in the event that they don’t love it. But these latest malicious apps trick victims into installing them, only to alter their name and icons and even take some extra steps to hide their presence on the device. Users can still delete them at will, however the developers make it tougher to seek out them on the affected devices.”
Advising people on learn how to stay secure, BitDefender offered some easy to follow advice to assist keep clear of dangerous apps.
They advised…
– Don’t install apps that you just don’t actually need
– Remember to delete apps you now not user
– Be wary of apps with a lot of downloads and few or no reviews
– Be wary of apps that request special permissions, like Drawing over apps or access to Accessibility
– Be wary of apps that request access to permissions that don’t have anything to do with the advertised functionality
– At all times run a security solution within the background that may detect malicious behavior. Simply because an app is downloaded from an official store doesn’t suggest it’s secure
Among the many Android apps BitDefender mentioned were Personality Charging Show, Image Warp Camera, Animated Sticker Master and GPS Location Finder.
And, in case you are wondering, listed here are the complete list of package names for the harmful Android apps BitDefender highlighted…
gb.packlivewalls.fournatewren, gb.blindthirty.funkeyfour, gb.convenientsoftfiftyreal.threeborder, gb.helectronsoftforty.comlivefour, gb.fiftysubstantiated.wallsfour, gb.actualfifty.sevenelegantvideo, gb.crediblefifty.editconvincingeight, de.eightylamocenko.editioneight, gb.convincingmomentumeightyverified.realgamequicksix, gb.labcamerathirty.mathcamera, gb.mega.sixtyeffectcameravideo, gb.theme.twentythreetheme, gb.tolltwentytwo.ikey, com.smart.tools.wifi, jkdf.gds.gds.g, com.newsoft.camera, com.xmas.artgirlswallpaperhd, hj.jk.jikj.jkj, com.creator.smartqrcreator, finze.lockgti.dae.cag, kk.f.ea.tew.t, com.xmas.girlsartwallpaper, sc.qs.vak, zzhse.ge.ge.ge.e, ice.ccylice.volume, ck.lad.secret, smart.ggps.lockakt, am.asm.master, com.charging.show, com.voice.sleep.sounds, joao.de.def.e.aew, ifa.nod.vys, qu.motor.astrology, ice.ccylice.colorize, gb.sixtycreativecyber.magiceleganttwo
