Bad batch of Android apps with millions of downloads detected in the Play Store – delete them now
If you need another reminder that you need to be careful when downloading new apps for your Android smartphone, a new report has highlighted a number of misleading apps as well as several phishing apps that you need to look out for.
Although Google imposes strict security restrictions on Play StoreStill, bad apps are able to slip through the cracks from time to time which is why you should think twice before installing any app on your devices.
according to Report (Opens in a new tab) From the maker of the antivirus Dr. Webapp rewards with millions of downloads are not actually paid while 10 investment apps and mobile games with over 450,000 downloads are actually phishing apps in disguise.
Shadi rewards apps
As I mentioned PC (Opens in a new tab)Dr. Web found several suspicious pedometer apps that offer monetary rewards to users for staying active and achieving their daily goals remotely. Of these pedometer apps, the three listed below have 20 million downloads combined:
- Lucky Step – Walking Tracker – 10 million downloads
- Walking fun – 5 million downloads
- Lucky Habit: Health tracker – 5 million downloads
Based on the results of the report, it is likely that all 3 applications have the same owner/developer since they all communicate with the same remote server address. It is also still available for download from the Play Store at the time of writing.
While these pedometer apps offer monetary rewards to their users, the apps themselves do not allow them to make any withdrawals until they reach a certain amount of rewards. However, even after doing so, users of these apps need to watch dozens of ads before they can unlock their rewards. At the same time, viewing additional ads is offered as a way to speed up the checkout process.
Although these apps are not as dangerous as the ones detailed below, this is a form of adware that goes against Google policies and misleads users into thinking they can earn rewards by having and using these apps on their Android smartphones. Adware applications Such can also slow down your phone and drain your battery quickly.
Disguised phishing apps
In addition to these suspicious pedometer apps, Dr. Web has also found a number of investment apps and games that are actually malicious as they steal data from users through phishing.
Altogether, these 10 apps collectively have more than 450,000 downloads and you should delete them immediately if you have any of them installed on your smartphone. Below is the complete list of malicious apps that Dr. Web:
- Golden Hunt – 100,000 downloads
- reflector – 100,000 downloads
- Seven Golden Wolf Blackjack – 100,000 downloads
- Unlimited points – 50,000 downloads
- Big decisions – 50,000 downloads
- Sea gem – 10,000 downloads
- Fruit Lux game – 10,000 downloads
- clover is lucky – 10,000 downloads
- King Blitz – 5,000 downloads
- Lucky Hammer – 1,000 downloads
Fortunately, the majority of these apps have already been removed from the Play Store with the exception of Seven Golden Wolf Blackjack which is still available for download at the time of writing.
After being installed on a potential victim’s smartphone, these apps connect to a remote server to receive instructions on how to collect their data. This is done by uploading phishing sites that ask users to enter sensitive information about themselves.
How to stay safe from malicious apps
Although most of the apps in question have been removed from the Play Store, you still need to delete them manually if you have any of these bad apps on your smartphone or tablet.
Before installing any new application on one The best Android phonesFirst, you should check its rating and read any reviews available on the Play Store. But as App reviews can be fakedYou should also look for external reviews or better yet, video reviews that show the app in action.
while the Best antivirus apps for Android It can protect you from bad apps that spread malware Detecting misleading apps or those that can lead you to phishing pages is a bit more difficult. For this reason, you need to be careful when downloading and installing new apps. Similarly, you should also make sure of that Google Play Protect Enabled on your Android devices this built-in app scans all your existing apps and any new ones you download for malware.
However, for the most part, if an app seems too good to be true, it probably is. Offering rewards is one of the ways scammers try to lure potential victims to their bad apps. By limiting the number of apps installed on your devices and deleting apps you no longer use, you can help protect your smartphone and the sensitive data it contains.
