Last week, Google removed 16 dangerous malware apps from the play store after discovering these apps are used as malware on Android devices. This application has over 20 million users worldwide, most of which were affected.
How it works
These apps had clicker malware which secretly appeared as unwanted ads and illicit clicks to links to get ad revenue. In addition, these applications also have permission to access users’ sensitive data such as bank details, contact details etc. But these apps are not as dangerous as other malware but can affect smartphone performance and battery drainage.
Cybersecurity firm McAfee stated:
The Clicker malware masqueraded as seemingly harmless utilities like cameras, currency/unit converters, QR code readers, note-taking apps, and dictionaries, among others, in a bid to trick users into downloading them.
The list of removed apps by google:
- High-Speed Camera (com.hantor.CozyCamera) – 10,000,000+ downloads
- Smart Task Manager (com.james.SmartTaskManager) – 5,000,000+ downloads
- Flashlight+ (kr.caramel.flash_plus) – 1,000,000+ downloads
- 달력메모장 (com.smh.memocalendar) – 1,000,000+ downloads
- K-Dictionary (com.joysoft.wordBook) – 1,000,000+ downloads
- BusanBus (com.kmshack.BusanBus) – 1,000,000+ downloads
- Flashlight+ (com.candlencom.candleprotest) – 500,000+ downloads
- Quick Note (com.movinapp.quicknote) – 500,000+ downloads
- Currency Converter (com.smartwho.SmartCurrencyConverter) – 500,000+ downloads
- Joycode (com.joysoft.barcode) – 100,000+ downloads
- EzDica (com.joysoft.ezdica) – 100,000+ downloads
- Instagram Profile Downloader (com.schedulezero.instapp) – 100,000+ downloads
- Ez Notes (com.meek.tingboard) – 100,000+ downloads
- 손전등 (com.candlencom.flashlite) – 1,000+ downloads
- 계산기 (com.doubleline.calcul) – 100+ downloads
- Flashlight+ (com.dev.imagevault) – 100+ downloads
McAfee researcher SangRyol Ryu said :
“This may cause heavy network traffic and consume power without user awareness during the time it generates profit for the threat actor behind this malware”
For the McAfee complete article, click here
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