Image via The Average Tech Guy / Unsplash
If you’re an Android user, you’re probably wondering if you were affected and what the details are of this latest wave of malware. A group of researchers recently found a large number of Android apps that are disguised as regular apps, but are really just malware made to drain your bank accounts of funds.
The group of at least 36 apps includes wallpaper apps, keyboards, photo and video editors, and some other miscellaneous apps. Over 10 million downloads have been made across all the apps. Some of the apps are also still available on the Google Play Store. If you’ve downloaded any of them, you must delete them immediately.
Russian anti-malware company, Doctor Web, found the malicious apps were showing users intrusive advertisements or getting them to sign up for premium services, with the underlying motivation to steal user information.
These apps request users to grant permission to be placed on the battery saver exclusion list. By doing this, these apps can run constantly, and may overlay over other apps. After installation, the apps may disguise themselves as other applications and mimic essential system applications.
Three of the discovered apps use Android Joker malware to forced users to subscribe to premium mobile services without their knowledge. The three apps are the following:
- Poco Launcher
- 4K Pro Camera
- Heart Emoji Stickers
There are two other apps that automatically load websites and force-click on banners for websites, which are “Water Reminder-Tracker & Reminder” and “Yoga-For Beginner to Advanced.”
If you’ve downloaded one of the apps found in this malicious batch, it is highly recommended that you immediately delete it and perform a virus scan on your device to ensure that nothing harmful has been left on your device.
Always be careful when you’re downloading any apps onto your device and check any comments on the app if you feel like it may be suspicious.
List of the 36 malicious apps found: (List via PCMag)
- 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.photoexifeditornine)
- 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 & GIF (gb.crazykey.sevenboard)
- Neon Theme Keyboard (com.neonthemekeyboard.app)
- Neon Theme – Android Keyboard (com.androidneonkeyboard.app)
- Cashe Cleaner (com.cachecleanereasytool.app)
- Fancy Charging (com.fancyanimatedbattery.app)
- FastCleaner: Cashe 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)
- 4K Pro Camera
- Chat Online
- Heart Emoji Stickers
- Pista – Cartoon Photo Effect
- Poco Launcher
- Water Reminder- Tracker & Reminder
- Yoga- For Beginner to Advanced
- YouToon – AI Cartoon Effect
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
