Android: Millions of users urged to check their phone as Google bans 36 apps

Googlehas just banned 36 popular Android apps and issued a warning to millions of users to delete them immediately due to serious security concerns and the risk of fraud.

What risks are Android users facing?

The team at McAfee Mobile Security have spotted an attack that can infect popular applications with a malicious software library and begin performing tasks without the smartphone owners' consent.

Once a contaminated app has been installed, it can be used by criminals to see Wi-Fi history, what Bluetooth devices are connected to a phone, which apps are being used and even look at nearby GPS locations.

The bug is even said to be able to perform fraud by clicking on rogue advertisements in the background, with device owners unknowingly making money for hackers.

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This type of attack is also known to slow devices down, with phones often becoming overworked and overloaded with data.

What is being done by Google to keep you safe?

Googleencouraged millions of users to check their devices immediately as the new threat appears to have been downloaded countless times.

Security specialists from McAfee confirmed:

The research team has found more than 60 applications containing this third-party malicious library, with more than 100 million downloads.

Google already instructed its developers to fix the issues with the apps or see them banned from the app store.

Whilst some apps have co-operated at speed, over 30 of them have now been blocked due to them still containing malicious software libraries.

McAfee's SangRyol Ryu said:

Google has reportedly notified the developers that their apps are in violation of Google Play policies and fixes are needed to reach compliance. Some apps were removed from Google Play while others were updated by the official developers.

The issue mainly targeted users in South Korea and there are no reports of UK users being hit by the bug, but it's still a reminder to all Android users to take care before installing new apps onto their devices.

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Sources used:

- Mirror: 'Google bans 36 popular Android apps, now millions urged to delete them immediately'