Getting an app onto the Google Play Store is easier when compared to Apple’s App Store. Apple has higher standards for entry plus iOS is a closed ecosystem, while Android is open source. Tap or click here for eight dangerous malware apps you need to remove right now. More bad apps are being found and taken down from the Play Store. Does this mean more malicious apps exist or are people getting better at spotting them? A whopping 52 malicious apps were just removed from the Play Store. You need to check this out.
Google can’t do everything itself
As big as it is, even Google needs a little help sometimes. This is especially important when identifying malicious apps on the Play Store. And this is where cybersecurity researchers step in. Researchers at cloud security company Zscaler recently discovered over 50 malware-infected Android apps on the Play Store. The apps employed three malware families: Joker, Facestealer and Coper. Zscaler told Google about the apps, which promptly removed them from the Play Store. Keep reading to check the list and determine if you’re at risk.
Check your apps against this list and delete, delete, delete!
Do you have any of the following apps installed on your Android device? Here’s the list of malicious apps discovered by Zscaler (50 of them use Joker malware, while the last two use Facestealer and Coper):
Simple Note Scanner — com.wuwan.pdfscanUniversal PDF Scanner — com.unpdf.scan.read.docscanuniverPrivate Messenger — com.recollect.linkusPremium SMS — com.premium.put.trustsmsSmart Messages — com.toukyoursms.timemessagesText Emoji SMS — messenger.itext.emoji.mesengerBlood Pressure Checker — com.bloodpressurechecker.tangjiangFunny Keyboard — com.soundly.galaxykeyboardMemory Silent Camera — com.silentmenory.timcameraCustom Themed Keyboard — com.custom.keyboardthemes.galaxiyLight Messages — com.lilysmspro.lightingThemes Photo Keyboard — com.themes.bgphotokeyboardSend SMS — exazth.message.send.text.smsThemes Chat Messenger — com.relish.messengersInstant Messenger — com.sbdlsms.crazymessager.mmsrecCool Keyboard — com.colate.gthemekeyboardFonts Emoji Keyboard — com.zemoji.fontskeyboardMini PDF Scanner — com.mnscan.minipdfSmart SMS Messages — com.sms.mms.message.ffei.freeCreative Emoji Keyboard — com.whiteemojis.creativekeyboard.ledsloardFancy SMS — con.sms.fancyFonts Emoji Keyboard — com.symbol.fonts.emojikeyboardsPersonal Message — com.crown.personalmessageFunny Emoji Message — com.funie.messagremoMagic Photo Editor — com.amagiczy.photo.editorProfessional Messages — com.adore.attached.messageAll Photo Translator — myphotocom.allfasttranslate.transationtranslatorChat SMS — com.maskteslary.messagesSmile Emoji — com.balapp.smilewall.emojiWow Translator — com.imgtop.camtranslatorAll Language Translate — com.exclusivez.alltranslateCool Messages — com.learningz.app.cool.messagesBlood Pressure Diary — bloodhold.nypressure.mainheart.ratemy.mo.depulse.app.tracker.diaryChat Text SMS — com.echatsms.messageosHi Text SMS — ismos.mmsyes.message.texthitext.bobpsmsEmoji Theme Keyboard — com.gobacktheme.lovelyemojikeyboardiMessager — start.me.messagerText SMS — com.ptx.textsmsCamera Translator — com.haixgoback.outsidetext.languagecameratranslaCome Messages — com.itextsms.messagecomingPainting Photo Editor — com.painting.pointeditor.photoRich Theme Message — com.getmanytimes.richsmsthememessengeQuick Talk Message — mesages.qtsms.messengerAdvanced SMS — com.fromamsms.atadvancedmmsoppProfessional Messenger — com.akl.smspro.messengerClassic Game Messenger — com.classcolor.formessenger.sicStyle Message — com.istyle.messagestyPrivate Game Messages — com.message.game.indiaTimestamp Camera — allready.taken.photobeauty.camera.timestampSocial Message — com.colorsocial.messageVanilla Snap Camera — cam.vanilla.snappUnicc QR Scanner — com.qrdscannerratedx
Just because Google removed the apps from the Play Store doesn’t mean they’ve been removed from your device. You have to do this yourself. Here’s how:
Open the Google Play Store app.At the top right, tap the Profile icon.Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage.Tap the name of the app you want to delete.Tap Uninstall.
The three malware families
Here’s a brief rundown of how these malicious apps function:
Joker malware is a type of fleeceware which typically lures you in with free trials that automatically switch to a subscription upon expiration. Once you’re roped in, canceling the subscription can be difficult. Joker can also intercept passwords, install other apps on your device, bypass two-factor authentication during in-app purchases and take screenshots of your messages. Tap or click here to find and remove four more Android apps spreading Joker malware.Facestealer malware informs users that they can’t use the app without first logging into Facebook. A fake Facebook login screen is shown, and once you put in your credentials, they’re sent to the crooks. Tap or click here to see how Russian criminals use Facestealer to target Americans.Coper malware is a banking Trojan capable of sending and receiving texts, keylogging, locking and unlocking devices, preventing uninstalls and allowing attackers to take control of your device remotely.
How to stay safe now and in the future
Deleting the offending apps is the first step. Now you need to make sure you don’t fall victim to malware. Here are some cybersecurity tips:
Turn on Google Play Protect by heading to Google Play Store > Profile > Play Protect > Settings and turn on Scan apps with Play Protect.Check your phone for security updates by going to Settings > System > System update.Open a web browser on your phone and do a Google Security Checkup at myaccount.google.com/security-checkup. Follow the steps to give your device more robust security settings.Only download apps from official app stores. Always go to the official source and double-check that you are installing the correct app.Watch out for apps that use a similar logo to other popular apps or have similar functions. Also, check reviews to see if others are warning about suspicious activity.Pay attention to permissions. Stay away if an app wants full access to your text messages or notifications. Have trustworthy antivirus software on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan of TotalAV Internet Security for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
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