Dangerous Android apps have been found on the Google Play Store again. This time security researchers found dozens of adware and malware applications that have been installed more than 10 million times.
Dozens of these rogue applications were discovered by security researchers from Dr. Web. Most of these apps masquerade as photo editing apps, virtual keyboards, wallpapers, themes, notes, and cleaners.
But in reality, these apps store malicious code that is used to display annoying ads, sign up users for premium services, and steal users' social media information.
Dr. The web found 28 adware apps in the Play Store. Adware is an application designed by developers to earn money by displaying annoying ads that sometimes fill the screen of the phone.
Once installed, the adware application will ask for access permission to display an overlay window on top of any application. This application can also add itself to the battery saver exception list so that it can still run in the background even if it is closed.
To make it difficult for users to find apps that make their phones flooded with ads and waste battery, apps can also remove their icons from the app drawer or replace them with icons that resemble system components such as 'SIM Toolkit'.
The full list of 28 adware that Dr. You can see the website on the next page. But there is one app that catches attention, namely 'Neon Theme Keyboard' which is currently still on the Play Store and has been downloaded more than one million times even though its rating is only 1.8.
Apart from adware, Dr. The web also found three malicious applications that were infiltrated by the Joker malware, which can drain a user's wallet or credit by registering victims with premium services. The three applications are 'Poco Launcher', '4K Pro Camera', and 'Heart Emoji Stickers', as quoted from Bleeping Computer, Wednesday (27/7/2022).
There are also two apps that carry Facebook account hijacking malware. The applications in question are 'YouToon - AI Carton Effect' and 'Pista - Cartoon Photo Effect' which in total have been downloaded more than 1.5 million times.
Dr. The Web has reported its findings to Google. Most of these malicious apps have been kicked from the Play Store, but there are still a few that are available to install.
Android malware is always finding new ways to infiltrate the Google Play Store. For this reason, Android users are advised to always be careful when downloading applications, especially those whose names are not familiar.
Always check the reviews and ratings given by other users, visit the developer's site, read the privacy policy, and observe the type of access permission requested whether it matches the function of the application or not.
Try not to install too many applications, because the fewer applications you have on your phone, the smaller the risk of malware infection. Finally, make sure Google Play Protect is always on and keep an eye on battery and data users to find out if there are suspicious programs running in the background.
Google has banned most of these rogue apps from the Play Store, but users should still remove them from their phones. Here's a list of 28 adware apps to look out for:
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Photo Editor: Beauty Filter (gb.artfilter.tenvarnist)
Photo Editor: Retouch & Cutout (de.nineergysh.quickarttwo)
Photo Editor: Art Filters (gb.painnt.moonlightingnine)
Photo Editor - Design Maker (gb.twentynine.redaktoridea)
Photo Editor & Background Eraser (de.photoground.twentysixshot)
Photo & Exif Editor (de.xnano.photoexifeditorine)
Photo Editor - Filters Effects (de.hitopgop.sixtyeightgx)
Photo Filters & Effects (de.sixtyonecollice.cameraroll)
Photo Editor : Blur Image (de.instgang.fiftyggfife)
Photo Editor : Cut, Paste (de.fiftyninecamera.rollredactor)
Emoji Keyboard: Stickers & GIFs (gb.crazykey.sevenboard)
Neon Theme Keyboard (com.neonthemekeyboard.app)
Neon Theme - Android Keyboard (com.androidneonkeyboard.app)
Cash Cleaner (com.cachecleanereasytool.app)
Fancy Charging (com.fancyanimatedbattery.app)
FastCleaner: Cash Cleaner (com.fastcleanercashecleaner.app)
Call Skins - Caller Themes (com.rockskinthemes.app)
Funny Caller (com.funnycallercustomtheme.app)
CallMe Phone Themes (com.callercallwallpaper.app)
InCall: Contact Background (com.mycallcustomcallscrean.app)
MyCall - Call Personalization (com.mycallcallpersonalization.app)
Caller Theme (com.caller.theme.slow)
Caller Theme (com.callertheme.firstref)
Funny Wallpapers - Live Screen (com.funnywallpapaerslive.app)
4K Wallpapers Auto Changer (de.andromo.ssfiftylivesixcc)
NewScrean: 4D Wallpapers (com.newscrean4dwallpapers.app)
Stock Wallpapers & Backgrounds (de.stockeighty.onewallpapers)
Notes - reminders and lists (com.notesreminderslists.app)