Malware News Ad Clicker Hiding as Google Photos App Found in Microsoft Store

[LASER_oneXM]

Content source

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ad-clicker-hiding-as-google-photos-app-found-in-microsoft-store/

A malicious app called "Album by Google Photos" was found in the Microsoft Store today that pretends to be from Google. This app pretends to be part of Google Photos, but is actually an ad clicker that repeatedly opens hidden advertisements in Windows 10.

This free Album by Google Photos app claims to be created by Google LLC and has a description of "Finally, a photos app that's as smart as you.". You can see an image of its Microsoft Store page below. ... ... ...

It is not known how an app like this could have passed the review process by Microsoft considering it pretends to be from Google. Furthermore, as the reviews state that this is malware or malicious, you would think it would have triggered an alert to review it further.

BleepingComputer has contacted Microsoft with questions regarding the review process, but had not heard back from Microsoft by the time of this publication. This article will be updated with Microsoft's statement if we hear back from them.

 

[Ink]

Microsoft Store quality assurance and checks are abysmal. Spam and junk everywhere.

Everyone should know Google won't publish their Apps to Microsoft Store. Their last attempt of posting Chrome to Windows Store was removed, because it was a redirect to Chrome's installer.
Read more: Microsoft removes Google’s Chrome installer from the Windows Store

You don't need to look far to see rubbish apps. Dodgy developers imitating reputable companies by copying familiar terms such as "Firefox", "Firefox Focus", "Opera Mini".

Microsoft Store is filled with trash.

Example:

Firefoxus by Neo-n

microsoft.com/en-gb/p/firefoxus/9n1g1vn0qth9

Neo-n Browser by Neo-n

microsoft.com/en-us/p/neo-n-browser/9n1g1vn0qth9

I suspect this is their Custom Google Search, but appears blurred upon visiting.

http://www.neo-n.ga/

Image: Searched with Bing.com


Changing data-blur to false , you'll see a partially functioning site (only the search works).



Using their Custom Google Search, my results are severely limited to just ~5% of what Google shows.



1 search by DigiDream

microsoft.com/en-us/p/www-browser/9nbrxt6w7hzt

Operatics Mini Search by DigiDream

microsoft.com/en-us/p/operatics-mini-search/9n7f9h11t11c

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

It's very sad that Microsoft Store and Google Play Store both can not be trusted. The whole idea of an app store is not working.
You probably would be better off if you could download your apps only directly from their maker.
Wait, something like regular windows

 

[oldschool]

It's very sad that Microsoft Store and Google Play Store both can not be trusted. The whole idea of an app store is not working.
You probably would be better off if you could download your apps only directly from their maker.
Wait, something like regular windows

What a novel idea? I wonder why MS hasn't thought of it!