Of all the Android app stores out there, the Google Play Store is the recommended place to get your Android applications and games. It is this way because Google does scan apps coming into the store for malware, and it regularly checks for malware-infested apps too on the store. But then, is the Google Play Store safe from malware? Last week, we reported that malware infected over 3 million Android devices on the Google Play Store. This week, another malware has plagued the Play Store with over 10 million downloads.
According to BleepingComputer, the discovery was made by security researchers from Dr. Web antivirus team who first made the report. The applications which are 28 in number on the Play Store, contained malware designed to subscribe victims to paid services, break into social media accounts, and serve up scammy ads.
The presence of malware in the Play Store keeps increasing every day. However, they often rake in hundreds of thousands of downloads which is quite scary. But then, this latest group was far more successful, raking over 10 million downloads before it eventually got discovered.
As explained by the researchers, when an Android user downloads any of the apps and then it opens it, you get a pop-up seeking permission to always run in the background. When you tap on "Allow", the app will be excluded from your battery saver and will continue to run in the background even when you close it.
To conceal their identity. they either remove their cons from your phone's app launcher or replace them with a system icon. The next step is to trick you into subscribing to premium services without your knowledge. This strain of malware is known as Joker.
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Here's the Android malware list containing the malicious apps. If by chance you happen to have any installed on your Android device, don't hesitate to uninstall it immediately:
- 4K Wallpapers Auto Changer
- Call Skins - Caller Themes
- CallMe Phone Themes
- Caller Theme
- Caller theme
- Cashe Cleaner
- Emoji Keyboard: Stickers & GIF
- Fancy Charging
- FastCleaner: Cashe Cleaner
- Funny Caller
- Funny Wallpapers - Live Screen
- InCall: Contact Background
- MyCall - Call Personalization
- Neon Theme - Android Keyboard
- Neon Theme Keyboard
- NewScrean: 4D Wallpapers
- Notes - reminders and lists
- Photo & Exif Editor
- Photo Editor & Background Eraser
- Photo Editor - Design Maker
- Photo Editor - Filters effects
- Photo Editor : Blur Image
- Photo Editor : Cut, Paste
- Photo Editor : Art Filters
- Photo Editor: Beauty Filter
- Photo Editor: Retouch & Cutout
- Photo Filters & Effects
- Stock Wallpapers & Backgrounds
As of the time of this report, Google had kicked most of the apps out of the Play Store. However, "Neon Theme Keyboard" with over 1 million downloads was still present.
How To Identify Malware On Android
It's a bit difficult to identify malware while using your Android phone. Google too won't warn that an app is malicious. However,, that shouldn't be an issue because we've got a few powerful tips to help you how to detect malicious apps on the Google Play Store.
Play Store ratings:
The first thing you have to do before downloading an app from the Play Store is to check out the ratings. Is it bad? Are there too many complaints?
When users complain of their battery running down, phone getting hot or freezing constantly or crashing, or too many ads, simply stay away from such apps. Mind you, there might also appear to be many positive reviews but could as well be fake reviews.
Spelling:
This is another thing to look out for. The app in question might be trying to steal users from a legit app and thus, its name and a few spellings will look very much like the real app. If you don't pay much attention, you will mistake it for the real app.
Permission:
Is the app asking for too many permissions? That should be a red flag. A camera app shouldn't ask you to grant permission to your contacts, SMS, calls logs, etc., such an app should in no way find its way onto your smartphone.
Play Store page:
Check the images in the apps Play Store page if they are of high quality and correspond to what's written on the page. Also, take your time to read the app's description and only download it when you find it satisfactory.