The Android universe is again being harassed by another batch of malicious applications present in the Play Store. In all, we have 11 applications that you must remove from your smartphone, after Google has done the same in its application store.
The targeted applications were unmasked by security firm AppCensus, publicly exposing their malicious practices. Indeed, these can steal users’ important data.
Here are the applications that you should remove from your Android smartphone now
Speed Camera RadarAl-Moazin Lite (Prayer Times)Wi-Fi Mouse (remote control PC)QR & Barcode Scanner (developed by AppSource Hub)Qibla Compass – Ramadan 2022Simple weather & clock widget (developed by Difer)Handcent Next SMS-Text with MMSSmart Kit 360Al Quran MP3 – 50 Reciters & Translation AudioFull Quran MP3 – 50+ Languages & Translation AudioAudiosdroid Audio Studio DA
As we can easily see, these are applications with names that appeal to general utility tools for the smartphone. However, its purpose is to collect information from users who install them without their knowledge.
As AppCencus advances, data collection includes email addresses, contact numbers or passwords. Most worrisome is the apparent collection of accurate GPS location history from compromised smartphones.
Apparently, this information would later be provided to the Measurement Systems company. The latter would pay large sums of money for receiving this data.
There are more than 60 million injured users
Data advanced by The Wall Street Journal indicate that more than 60 million users have installed these malicious apps on their smartphones. Obviously, it’s a number that is distributed among the 11 apps listed.
Google, after becoming aware of the case, removed these applications from the Play Store on March 25th. However, that did not stop them from returning to the official Android app store.
Google guarantees, however, that these applications are no longer a threat to users and the security of their data. However, allowing them to return to the Play Store is not, at all, an image of safety and suitability for the public.
Therefore, the appeal we make is, if you have any of these applications installed on your smartphone, that you remove them now. This is the only method for your data to remain safe.
Aroged editors recommend: