Google has removed 17 apps capable of stealing a user’s money and private information, including SMSes and contact lists. The company has removed the malicious apps from the Google Play Store, which means they’ll no longer be available for download via Google Play Store, following a research by California-based IT security company called Zscaler. The firm monitored the 17 apps and discovered that they were infected with the Joker malware that keeps finding its way to the Google Play Store by employing changes in its code. The apps are said to have a total of 120,000 downloads, so in case you have downloaded them, you should uninstall them right away.
The infected apps include PDF scanners, messengers, translators, app lock, and collage maker. In a statement, Zscaler security researcher stated, “Joker is one of the most prominent malware families that continually targets Android devices. Despite awareness of this particular malware, it keeps finding its way into Google’s official application market by employing changes in its code, execution methods, or payload-retrieving techniques. This spyware is designed to steal SMS messages, contact lists, and device information along with silently signing up the victim for premium wireless application protocol (WAP) services.”
Here’s a list of 17 infected apps removed from Google Play Store:
- All Good PDF Scanner
- Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message
- Unique Keyboard – Fancy Fonts & Free Emoticons
- Tangram App Lock
- Direct Messenger
- Private SMS
- One Sentence Translator – Multifunctional Translator
- Style Photo Collage
- Meticulous Scanner
- Desire Translate
- Talent Photo Editor – Blur focus
- Care Message
- Part Message
- Paper Doc Scanner
- Blue Scanner
- Hummingbird PDF Converter – Photo to PDF
- All Good PDF Scanner
The cybersecurity researchers recommend users to pay close attention to the permission list in the apps that you install on your Android device. Always read the comment or reviews on the app page and watch out for the risky permissions related to SMS, call logs, contacts, and more to avoid being a victim of hackers.
