13 Malware Android Applications Pull off by Google Play

Google is claimed to possess removed thirteen apps from Google Play once a security investigator found that the apps were putting in malware on devices. over half a million android users have downloaded and installed malicious apps on their devices, the investigator claimed. The apps not solely showed no legitimate functionality however additionally hid within the handsets to create it easier to put in malware. curiously, 2 of those apps had conjointly featured underneath the ‘trending’ section on the shop. These apps, listed as automotive and truck driving simulations, aren’t any longer accessible on the Play Store.

In a tweet, ESET security investigator Lukas Stefanko disclosed details concerning the 13 malicious apps discovered within the Google Play Store. He claimed that these apps containing android malware were downloaded over 560,000 times. curiously, all the apps listed one developer named Luiz pinto. These apps were primarily disguised as games, however did not work and rather crashed everytime a user tried to launch them. As mentioned, two of these apps area unit said to own featured within the Play Store’s trending section before Google force them.

Some of these android apps embody a truck simulator, fire engine simulator, luxury automotive driving simulator among others, and therefore the thumbnail pictures show graphics similar to most legitimate gaming apps. according to Stefanko, the discovered apps would hide themselves and their icons when users launched them. Also, they might be asked to put in extra APK known as ‘Game Center’, although they didn’t have any legitimate functionality. The investigator has conjointly announce some videos demonstrating however the apps would work.

It is not the primary time that a large variety of android users are suffering from malicious apps containing malware. Last year, AN auto-clicking adware known as Judy was discovered on forty one apps and same to own affected between 8.5 million and 36.5 million android devices. Also, another botnet malware referred to as FalseGuide had reportedly infected millions of android devices via Google Play.