Less than a month after Google removed the malware-riddled Camscanner app from its Play store, the search engine found itself pulling down even more infected apps. This time round, the number of infected apps it has removed is 24.
All 24 apps, which were discovered by cybersecurity firm CSIS Security Group, were revealed to have been infected with a malware known as Joker. According to CSIS, the malware is able to sign up users to premium subscriptions services. All without the user’s knowledge.
Joker evades detection by hiding within the advertisement frameworks of an app and is programmed to generate “as little footprint as possible”. Even worse, the security group says that the malware goes a step further by silently clicking on advertisement websites, and stealing SMS messages, contact details and device information.
So far, the malware has reportedly affected victims in 37 countries, with Malaysia being one of its target countries.
Below is the list of infected apps are:
- Advocate Wallpaper
- Age Face
- Altar Message
- Antivirus Security – Security Scan
- Beach Camera
- Board picture editing
- Certain Wallpaper
- Climate SMS
- Collate Face Scanner
- Cute Camera
- Dazzle Wallpaper
- Declare Message
- Display Camera
- Great VPN
- Humour Camera
- Ignite Clean
- Leaf Face Scanner
- Mini Camera
- Print Plant scan
- Rapid Face Scanner
- Reward Clean
- Ruddy SMS
- Soby Camera
- Spark Wallpaper
At the time of writing, all of the apps above have been taken down from Google Play. If you have any of the listed app installed, it’s worth the time to check your transaction history for any unauthorized purchases.
