A new batch of 36 Android apps containing adware and malware has been discovered in the Google Play Store. It has been downloaded almost 10 million times, some are still available and all should be removed from Android devices immediately.
As reported by BleepingComputer (Opens in a new window), the malicious apps were discovered (Opens in a new window) by the Russian anti-malware company Doctor Web. Functionality advertised by the apps includes photo editing, virtual keyboards, system optimization, wallpaper changers, user interface skins, and a notes/lists app. In all cases, the apps have a secondary purpose of stealing social media accounts, showing the user intrusive ads, or signing them up for premium services.
For adware-centric apps, each app asks for permission to be placed on the battery saver exclusion list so that it can run all the time. They also want permission to show overlay windows on top of other apps. Once installed, they will either hide their app icon or replace it with an icon and name of something else that suggests it’s an essential system app. A complete list of malicious applications is included at the end of this article.
List of malicious Poco Launcher apps on Google Play. (Credit: Doctor Web)
Three apps were discovered that use Android Joker malware to execute arbitrary code and subscribe users to premium mobile services without their knowledge. This trio of apps includes:
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Poco Launcher
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4K Pro Camera
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Heart emoji stickers
Two more apps, named “Water Reminder- Tracker & Reminder” and “Yoga-For Beginner to Advanced”, are used to automatically load websites and click links for banners and ads. Another, simply called “Online Chat,” focuses on dating apps and tries to grab your personal information or simulate a chat with a real person before demanding payment to continue chatting.
Finally, there are a couple of apps called “YouToon – AI Cartoon Effect” and “Pista – Cartoon Photo Effect” that are designed to steal data with the aim of gaining access to Facebook accounts.
All Android users are advised to check their devices to ensure that none of these apps have been installed. If they have, you’ll need to manually uninstall them and then run a virus scan to make sure nothing was left behind.
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After that, keep your guard up. Google hasn’t removed all of these apps from Google Play yet, and more may appear. Always check reviews before installing a new app you’re not 100% sure about, and do some research on the developer to make sure they’re legit.
The 36 malicious Android apps to check your devices are:
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Photo Editor: Beauty Filter (gb.artfilter.tenvarnist)
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Photo Editor: Retouch and Crop (by.ninenergysh.quickarttwo)
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Photo Editor: Art Filters (gb.painnt.moonlightingnine)
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Photo Editor – Designer (gb.twentynine.redaktoridea)
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Photo editor and background eraser (de.photoground.twentysixshot)
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Photo and Exif Editor (de.xnano.photoexifeditornine)
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Photo Editor – Filter Effects (de.hitopgop.sixtyeightgx)
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Photo Filters and Effects (de.sixtyonecollice.cameraroll)
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Photo Editor: Blur Image (by.instgang.fiftyggfife)
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Photo Editor: Cut Paste (by.fiftyninecamera.rollredactor)
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Emoji Keyboard: Stickers & GIFs (gb.crazykey.sevenboard)
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Neon Keyboard (com.neonthemekeyboard.app)
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Neon Theme: Android Keyboard (com.androidneonkeyboard.app)
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Cache Cleaner (com.cachecleanereasytool.app)
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Fancy Charging (com.fancyanimatedbattery.app)
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FastCleaner: Cash Cleaner (com.fastcleanercashecleaner.app)
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Call Skins – Call Themes (com.rockskinthemes.app)
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Funny Caller (com.funnycallercustomtheme.app)
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CallMe Phone Themes (com.callercallwallpaper.app)
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InCall: Contact Background (com.mycallcustomcallscreen.app)
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MyCall – Call Personalization (com.mycallcallpersonalization.app)
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Caller Theme (com.caller.theme.slow)
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Caller Theme (com.callertheme.firstref)
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Funny WallPaers Live Wallpaper (com.funnywallpaerslive.app)
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4K Auto Wallpaper Changer (by.andromo.ssfiftylivesixcc)
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NewScreen: 4D Wallpapers (com.newscrean4dwallpapers.app)
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Wallpapers and Backgrounds (by.stockeighty.onewallpapers)
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Notes: Reminders & Lists (com.notesreminderslists.app)
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4K Pro Camera
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Online chat
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Heart emoji stickers
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Hint – Cartoon photo effect
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Poco Launcher
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Water reminder: tracker and reminder
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Yoga: For beginners to advanced
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YouToon – AI cartoon effect
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