Security News > 2022 > July > These 28+ Android Apps with 10 Million Downloads from the Play Store Contain Malware

As many as 30 malicious Android apps with cumulative downloads of nearly 10 million have been found on the Google Play Store distributing adware.

While masquerading as innocuous apps, their primary goal is to request permissions to show windows over other apps and run in the background in order to serve intrusive ads.

Also uncovered are another set of apps distributing the Joker malware in the form of launcher, camera, and emoji stickers apps that, when installed, subscribe users to paid mobile services without their knowledge and consent.

Although these apps have been purged, it's no surprise that mobile malware has been proven to be resilient, what with the criminal actors constantly finding new ways to bypass protections put in place by Google.

Users are recommended to exercise caution when it comes to downloading apps, Google Play or otherwise, and refrain from granting extensive permissions to apps.

Turning on Google Play Protect and scrutinizing app reviews and ratings are other ways to secure devices from malware.

News URL

https://thehackernews.com/2022/07/these-28-android-apps-with-10-million.html