As many as 30 malicious Android apps with cumulative downloads of nearly 10 million have been found on the Google Play Store distributing adware. "All of them were built into various programs, including image-editing software, virtual keyboards, system tools and utilities, calling apps, wallpaper collection apps, and others," Dr.Web said in a Tuesday write-up. While … [Read more...] about These 28+ Android Apps with 10 Million Downloads from the Play Store Contain Malware
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Google Bringing the Android App Permissions Section Back to the Play Store
Google on Thursday said it's backtracking on a recent change that removed the app permissions list from the Google Play Store for Android across both the mobile app and the web. "Privacy and transparency are core values in the Android community," the Android Developers team said in a series of tweets. "We heard your feedback that you find the app permissions section in Google … [Read more...] about Google Bringing the Android App Permissions Section Back to the Play Store
Google Removes “App Permissions” List from Play Store for New “Data Safety” Section
Following the launch of a new "Data safety" section for the Android app on the Play Store, Google appears to be readying to remove the app permissions list from both the mobile app and the web. The change was highlighted by Esper's Mishaal Rahman earlier this week. The Data safety section, which Google began rolling out in late April 2022, is the company's answer to Apple's … [Read more...] about Google Removes “App Permissions” List from Play Store for New “Data Safety” Section
TeaBot Android Banking Malware Spreads Again Through Google Play Store Apps
An Android banking trojan designed to steal credentials and SMS messages has been observed once again sneaking past Google Play Store protections to target users of more than 400 banking and financial apps, including those from Russia, China, and the U.S. "TeaBot RAT capabilities are achieved via the device screen's live streaming (requested on-demand) plus the abuse of … [Read more...] about TeaBot Android Banking Malware Spreads Again Through Google Play Store Apps
Malware disguised as Minecraft mods on Google Play, continued
Although we recently reported finding 20 apps in Google Play posing as Minecraft modpacks — the most popular with more than a million downloads — Minecraft-themed malware continues to pop up in Google Play. Instead of doing anything they claimed, the apps turned users’ smartphones and tablets into extremely intrusive advertising tools. To be clear, the apps were totally useless … [Read more...] about Malware disguised as Minecraft mods on Google Play, continued
9 Android Apps On Google Play Caught Distributing AlienBot Banker and MRAT Malware
Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new malware dropper contained in as many as 9 Android apps distributed via Google Play Store that deploys a second stage malware capable of gaining intrusive access to the financial accounts of victims as well as full control of their devices. "This dropper, dubbed Clast82, utilizes a series of techniques to avoid detection by Google … [Read more...] about 9 Android Apps On Google Play Caught Distributing AlienBot Banker and MRAT Malware
Malware disguised as Minecraft mods on Google Play
The first version of Minecraft was released way back in 2009, but the game remains incredibly popular to this day. That should come as no surprise; not only is it enormous fun, but it’s a platform for kids and adults alike to create their own worlds. Some even use it for urban planning — and some teachers use it in the classroom. Unfortunately, as with any successful project, … [Read more...] about Malware disguised as Minecraft mods on Google Play
Google Removes 21 Malicious Android Apps from Play Store
Google has stepped in to remove several Android applications from the official Play Store following the disclosure that the apps in question were found to serve intrusive ads. The findings were reported by the Czech cybersecurity firm Avast on Monday, which said the 21 malicious apps (list here) were downloaded nearly eight million times from Google's app marketplace. The apps … [Read more...] about Google Removes 21 Malicious Android Apps from Play Store
Joker Malware Apps Once Again Bypass Google’s Security to Spread via Play Store
Cybersecurity researchers took the wraps off yet another instance of Android malware hidden under the guise of legitimate applications to stealthily subscribe unsuspecting users for premium services without their knowledge.In a report published by Check Point research today, the malware — infamously called Joker (or Bread) — has found another trick to bypass Google's Play Store … [Read more...] about Joker Malware Apps Once Again Bypass Google’s Security to Spread via Play Store
PhantomLance Android backdoor on Google Play
Last July, our colleagues at Doctor Web detected a Trojan backdoor on Google Play. Such discoveries are not exactly an everyday occurrence, but they’re hardly unheard of — researchers do find Trojans on Google Play, sometimes hundreds at a time. This Trojan, however, was surprisingly sophisticated for malware found on Google Play, so our experts decided to dig deeper. They … [Read more...] about PhantomLance Android backdoor on Google Play