Cyber criminals have distributed malware to hundreds of thousands of Android users by successfully hiding it inside a series of apparently harmless apps.
The malware sneaked onto the Google Play store disguised as seven different apps - six QR readers and one 'smart compass' - and bypassed security checks by hiding their true intent with a combination of clever coding and delaying the initial burst of malicious activity.
Following installation, the malware waits for six hours before it begins work on its true purpose - serving up adware, flooding the user with full screen adverts, opening adverts on webpages and sending various notifications containing ad related links.
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77 Android apps on Google Play with 19 million installs spread malware, hitting 831 banks and exposing users to fraud and theft.
SpyLend Android malware downloaded 100,000 times from Google Play