Android malware apps with 2 million installs spotted on Google Play

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Content source

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/android-malware-apps-with-2-million-installs-spotted-on-google-play/

A new set of Android malware, phishing, and adware apps have infiltrated the Google Play store, tricking over two million people into installing them.

The apps were discovered by Dr. Web antivirus and pretend to be useful utilities and system optimizers but, in reality, are the sources of performance hiccups, ads, and user experience degradation.

One app illustrated by Dr. Web that has amassed one million downloads is TubeBox, which remains available on Google Play at the time of writing this.

TubeBox promises monetary rewards for watching videos and ads on the app but never delivers on its promises, presenting various errors when trying to redeem the collected rewards.

Other adware apps that appeared on Google Play in October 2022 but have since been removed are:

• Bluetooth device auto connect (bt autoconnect group) – 1,000,000 downloads
• Bluetooth & Wi-Fi & USB driver (simple things for everyone) – 100,000 downloads
• Volume, Music Equalizer (bt autoconnect group) – 50,000 downloads
• Fast Cleaner & Cooling Master (Hippo VPN LLC) – 500 downloads

Finally, Dr. Web discovered a set of loan scam apps claiming to have a direct relationship with Russian banks and investment groups, each having an average of 10,000 downloads on Google Play.

To protect yourself from fraudulent apps on Google Play, always check for negative reviews, scrutinize the privacy policy, and visit the developer’s site to evaluate its authenticity.

In general, try to keep the number of installed apps on your device at a minimum and periodically check and ensure that Google's Play Protect feature is active.

Android malware apps with 2 million installs spotted on Google Play

A new set of Android malware, phishing, and adware apps have infiltrated the Google Play store, tricking over two million people into installing them.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Really Google, you need to do better to get rid of these rouge apps. Don't they vet Play Store apps?