31 Tuesday “Aug” 2021″ Source: Express
As Google bans 8 dangerous Android apps, police warn users to delete them now
Cyber security experts urge Android users to check their smartphones after discovering that 8 popular apps are hiding dangerous wildcard malware.
The Belgian police confirmed that “Google” recently deleted eight applications from its “Google Play” store, and that users are now advised to remove them from their devices immediately. All of these apps are believed to contain the dangerous Joker malware that is capable of wreaking havoc on any phone it infects.
Once installed, Joker has the option of installing hidden spyware and premium dialers on devices that users can then sign up for expensive monthly subscriptions.
In the past, some victims have paid over £ 240 a year for these fraudulent subscriptions.
In a post on their website, the Belgian police said: “Warning! The Joker virus has returned to the Android environment.” This malware was discovered in 8 apps from the Google Play Store that were pulled from Google at the same time. However, if you already have one of these installed, remove it ASAP.
According to researchers from the cybersecurity firm Quick Heal Security Lab, the Joker virus can later access text messages, contacts and a lot of other information on smartphones.
As with previous versions, you can also subscribe to websites that offer paid services, so that users risk a nasty surprise at the end of the month when they receive their credit card statement.
And if you are concerned about this threat, here is the list of affected apps:
• Help message
• Element scanner
• Fast magic SMS
• Free CamScanner
• Go messages
• Super news
• Great SMS
• Travel wallpapers
The Joker was first spotted in 2019 but has recently made a dramatic comeback. In fact, cybersecurity researchers recently announced that they had seen a “huge increase” in apps infected with Joker malware.
Phone security firm Zimperium says it has seen more than 1,000 new wildcard samples since its last report on the issue in 2020. The company warns that cyber thieves routinely find new and unique ways to introduce this malware in official and unofficial app stores.
Source: Express
