Cybersecurity experts are warning Android users to delete some 35 apps that compromised Google’s security by sneaking into the Pay Store. So far, the malicious apps have been downloaded more than two million times putting that number of devices at risk of data theft and hacking.
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Delete these apps
Cybersecurity firm, Bitdefender’s anti-malware research team raised the alarm after detecting these apps which could give criminals access to your credentials and financial information, according to tech website, Tom’s Guide.
The developers of these malicious apps also serve ads to make money from their presence on the Play Store, reducing the quality of user experience while linking devices directly to malware. These apps are tricky to find because they are constantly changing the way they operate making it difficult for users to delete them. Here are the most downloaded apps from the 35 listed on Tom’s Guide:
- Walls light - Wallpapers Pack - 100K+
- Big Emoji - Keyboard - 100K+
- Grad Wallpapers - 3D Backdrops - 100K+
- Engine Wallpapers - Live & 3D - 100K+
- Stock Wallpapers - 4K & HD - 100K+
- EffectMania - Photo Editor - 100K+
Take stock
According to Bitdefender, one of the techniques used by developers of these malicious apps is to change their icons to look strikingly similar to a device’s ‘Settings’ app. That way, even if you know the pp’s name, finding and deleting it will be difficult, especially if you have loads of apps installed on your phone.
As most of these names suggest, the apps are geared towards enhancing effects and features on Android phones. It is advisable to go through the entire list and take inventory of your apps to see if you unknowingly downloaded any that could compromise your security. If you find any, you should delete it immediately.
Read more:
⋙ Android users: Samsung wants to pay you to make a switch. Here’s how
⋙ Warning to Android users: Turn on this setting to keep malicious apps away
⋙ Delete now!: Millions of Android devices infected with bug that drains your account
