From Samsung to Huawei, Android smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market. But if you use an Android device, you may want to double-check which apps you have installed.
Researchers from ESET have warned users about 42 dangerous apps that were previously available on the Google Play Store that contain adware – software that automatically displays adverts, even when the app is closed.
While these apps are longer available on the Google Play Store, they’ve amassed a whopping eight million downloads.
ESET has revealed the names of 21 of the apps, which include Free Radio FM Online, Flat Music Player and Heroes Jump (scroll down for list).
Worryingly, these apps have their code hidden under a package name ‘com.google.xxx’.
In a blog about the dangerous apps, Lukas Stefanko, a researcher at ESET, explained: “This trick – posing as a part of a legitimate Google service – may help avoid scrutiny. Some detection mechanisms and sandboxes may whitelist such package names, in an effort to prevent wasting resources.”
Thankfully, Google has now removed these apps from the Google Play Store, after ESET reported the issue.
Mr Stefanko added: “Sneaking unwanted or harmful functionality into popular, benign apps is a common practice among “bad” developers, and we are committed to tracking down such apps.
“We report them to Google and take other steps to disrupt malicious campaigns we discover.”
Dangerous apps you should delete now;
- Smart Gallery
- SaveInsta
- Mini lite for Facebook
- Freed Radio FM Online
- Free Video Downloader
- Free Social Video Downloader
- File Downloader
- Water Drink Reminder
- Smart Notes for You
- DU Recorder
- Tank classic
- Heroes Jump
- Solucionario
- Ringtone Maker
- Video downloader
- Ringtone Maker Pro
- Basketball Perfect Shot
- HikeTop+
- MP4 video downloader
- Flat Music Player
- Free Top Video Downloader
