Warning of a series of malicious applications that need to be removed from smartphones

Recently, cybersecurity experts have continuously warned about malicious applications on the Google Play Store (CH Play) that are capable of spying and "pickpocketing" users.

Recently, researchers at Doctor Web continued to publish a series of applications containing malicious code appearing in the Play Store's app store. This study shows that your phone can be remotely hijacked, as well as having all data stolen via email.

Most of these malicious apps are masquerading as antivirus apps. Fool users by sounding a warning about the presence of a virus on your computer, then ask you to pay some money to buy the full version of the application. At the same time, these applications have the ability to monitor and gain access to the system, endangering users' data and devices.

Some named applications such as Wild & Exotic Animal Wallpaper, PIP Pic Camera Photo Editor, ZodiHoroscope - Fortune Finder, Recovery, Driving Real Race. are recommended by Doctor Web experts and should be immediately removed from the system.

These apps all have over 500,000 to 1 million downloads from the App Store. However, this application contains malicious code capable of stealing Facebook login information of users. Some other applications are associated with paid services. When users access these applications, they automatically sign up for a series of different paid services to deduct fees without the user's knowledge.

Currently, Google is also reviewing and removing the above applications from the Play Store, but users also need to be proactive and cautious before downloading any applications to their smartphones.

David Pac

Update 28 June 2022