These Android apps with more than 100,000 downloads contain Joker malware, please remove immediately

It seems that Google's security measures are still not enough to prevent applications containing malicious code. Recently, security experts continued to discover a series of applications containing Joker malware on the Google Play Store. Somehow, these apps made their way into the official Google app store.

Although the apps below have been removed from the Play Store, they have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Therefore, if you have missed the installation, you need to remove them immediately from your computer:

1. Smart SMS Messages - more than 50,000 downloads
2. Blood Pressure Monitor - over 10,000 downloads
3. Voice Languages ​​Translator - over 10,000 downloads
4. Quick Text SMS - over 10,000 downloads

Joker is not a new type of malware. This threat has existed on the Google Play Store for many years now. It lurks into fake apps again and again, and never has Google been able to actually remove the malware.

Once infected with the device, the Joker will automatically subscribe to expensive, meaningless mobile services without the victim's knowledge. From there, it silently, slowly drains the victim's bank account.

In addition to the 4 apps that have a lot of downloads above, the following apps also contain the Joker malware, but the downloads seem to be more modest. However, if you accidentally download them, you should remove them immediately:

1. Painting Photo Editor
2. Smile Bubble Message
3. Theme Emoji Keyboard
4. Fun Smart Messages
5. Fun Text Messages
6. Cute Emoji SMS
7. Quick Talk Messages
8. Custom Picture Caller Show
9. Talk SMS
10. Text Launcher SMS
11. Shadow Galaxy Wallpaper
12. Face Emoji Maker
13. Simple Keyboard

Now, in addition to being careful when downloading apps from outside, Android users must also pay attention even when downloading apps from the Google Play Store. To avoid getting infected with malicious code, users need to stay away from applications with unclear functionality and/or unreasonable requests for permissions.

Lesley Montoya

Update 09 July 2022