Android mobile phone users are being urged to delete 38 apps that used to be available on the Google Play store. A security expert warns the applications came with a malicious hidden feature, as developers tapped into Minecraft popularity with copycat games.
Several of the games contained hidden advertising, with McAfee's Mobile Research Team discovering 38 of the apps on the Play Store, Daily Record reports. Worryingly, these games had been downloaded 38 million times.
All the apps have now been deleted from the Play Store, but the type of attack is capable of generating major cash as mobile phone users are unaware their device is being slowed down by adverts hidden in the background.
"Minecraft’s popularity has led to many attempts to recreate similar games," explained McAfee security adviser Dexter Shin. "As a result, there are so many games with the same concept as Minecraft worldwide. Even on Google Play, we can easily search for similar games."
McAfee Mobile Research Team recently discovered 38 games with hidden advertising. These HiddenAds applications discovered on the Google Play Store and installed by at least 35 million users worldwide, have been found to send packets stealthily for advertising revenue in bulk."
McAfee says it's vital that all Android users check reviews before downloading and installing any new apps onto their phones.
Also, if the performance of your phone begins to suffer after a new download, this could be a sign of something behind the scenes that would be worth checking your recent downloads.
Here is the full list
Block Box Master Diamond
Craft Sword Mini Fun
Block Box Skyland Sword
Craft Monster Crazy Sword
Block Pro Forrest Diamond
Block Game Skyland Forrest
Block Rainbow Sword Dragon
Craft Rainbow Mini Builder
Block Forrest Tree Crazy
Craft Clever Monster Castle
Block Monster Diamond Dragon
Craft World Fun Robo
Block Pixelart Tree Pro
Craft Mini Lucky Fun
Block Earth Skyland World
Block Rainbow Monster Castle
Block Fun Rainbow Builder
Craft Dragon Diamond Robo
Block World Tree Monster
Block Diamond Boy Pro
Block Lucky Master Earth
Craft Forrest Mini Fun
Craft Sword City Pro
Block Loki Monster Builder
Block Boy Earth Mini
Block Crazy Builder City
Craft Sword Vip Pixelart
Block City Fun Diamond
Craft City Loki Rainbow
Craft Boy Clever Sun
Block City Dragon Sun
Craft Loki Forrest Monster
Lokicraft: Forrest Survival 3D
Craft Castle Sun Rain
Craft Game Earth World
Craft Lucky Castle Builder
Craftsman: Building City 2022
Craft Rainbow Pro Rain
Read next:
- Life in the Nottinghamshire village famous for its greenery, picket fences and pubs
- Locked up in April: The offenders who were brought to justice
- 21 tributes, death and funeral notices from across Nottinghamshire
- Work on one of Nottinghamshire's 'most precious buildings' on hold as legal action taken
- Owners horrified as elderly dog attacked and injured by fox during evening walk