Millions of Android users have been issued a warning as security experts urge people to check their phones immediately.
It comes as a cyber attack has infected various popular apps, with the malicious software having the ability to perform tasks on phones without the consent of owners.
The team at McAfee Mobile Security explained that once a contaminated app is installed, it can be used by fraudsters to access Wi-Fi history, see the Bluetooth devices connected to the device and even identify the apps being as well as nearby GPS locations. Worryingly, that means that criminals can track the places you have been.
The experts warn that Android users could even be making the hackers money without even knowing as the bug is able to perform ad fraud. This is where hackers click on rogue advertisement in the background to bank cash, with this type of attack also known to slow down devices and overload phones with data.
Users are being asked to check devices for infected apps with concerns the applications have been downloaded millions of times, reports the Mirror.
"The research team has found more than 60 applications containing this third-party malicious library, with more than 100 million downloads," McAfee confirmed.
Google has already been informed of the issues, with app developers told to fix the issues of see the apps banned from the app store.
Some developers have been quick to address the dangers. However, over 30 app have now been blocked after being found to contain the malicious software library.
"We reported the discovered apps to Google, which took prompt action," said McAfees' SangRyol Ryu.
"Google has reportedly notified the developers that their apps are in violation of Google Play policies and fixes are needed to reach compliance. Some apps were removed from Google Play while others were updated by the official developers."
Currently, there are no reports of UK users being targeted by the bug, with the issues mainly in South Korea. However, all Android users should remain vigilant.
Full list of apps removed or updated by Google
According to McAfee, the apps of concern are as follows:
| Package Name | Application Name | GooglePlay Downloads |
GP Status |
| com.lottemembers.android | L.POINT with L.PAY | 10M+ | Updated* |
| com.Monthly23.SwipeBrickBreaker | Swipe Brick Breaker | 10M+ | Removed** |
| com.realbyteapps.moneymanagerfree | Money Manager Expense & Budget | 10M+ | Updated* |
| com.skt.tmap.ku | TMAP – 대리,주차,전기차 충전,킥보 … | 10M+ | Updated* |
| kr.co.lottecinema.lcm | 롯데시네마 | 10M+ | Updated* |
| com.ktmusic.geniemusic | 지니뮤직 – genie | 10M+ | Updated* |
| com.cultureland.ver2 | 컬쳐랜드[컬쳐캐쉬] | 5M+ | Updated* |
| com.gretech.gomplayerko | GOM Player | 5M+ | Updated* |
| com.megabox.mop | 메가박스(Megabox) | 5M+ | Removed** |
| kr.co.psynet | LIVE Score, Real-Time Score | 5M+ | Updated* |
| sixclk.newpiki | Pikicast | 5M+ | Removed** |
| com.appsnine.compass | Compass 9: Smart Compass | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.gomtv.gomaudio | GOM Audio – Music, Sync lyrics | 1M+ | Updated* |
| com.gretech.gomtv | 곰TV – All About Video | 1M+ | Updated* |
| com.guninnuri.guninday | 전역일 계산기 디데이 곰신톡–군인 … | 1M+ | Updated* |
| com.itemmania.imiapp | 아이템매니아 – 게임 아이템 거래 … | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.lotteworld.android.lottemagicpass | LOTTE WORLD Magicpass | 1M+ | Updated* |
| com.Monthly23.BounceBrickBreaker | Bounce Brick Breaker | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.Monthly23.InfiniteSlice | Infinite Slice | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.pump.noraebang | 나홀로 노래방–쉽게 찾아 이용하는 … | 1M+ | Updated* |
| com.somcloud.somnote | SomNote – Beautiful note app | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.whitecrow.metroid | Korea Subway Info : Metroid | 1M+ | Updated* |
| kr.co.GoodTVBible | GOODTV다번역성경찬송 | 1M+ | Removed** |
| kr.co.happymobile.happyscreen | 해피스크린 – 해피포인트를 모으 … | 1M+ | Updated* |
| kr.co.rinasoft.howuse | UBhind: Mobile Tracker Manager | 1M+ | Removed** |
| mafu.driving.free | 스피드 운전면허 필기시험 … | 1M+ | Removed** |
| com.wtwoo.girlsinger.worldcup | 이상형 월드컵 | 500K+ | Updated* |
| kr.ac.fspmobile.cu | CU편의점택배 | 500K+ | Removed** |
| com.appsnine.audiorecorder | 스마트 녹음기 : 음성 녹음기 | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.camera.catmera | 캣메라 [순정 무음카메라] | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.cultureland.plus | 컬쳐플러스:컬쳐랜드 혜택 더하기 … | 100K+ | Updated* |
| com.dkworks.simple_air | 창문닫아요(미세/초미세먼지/WHO … | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.lotteworld.ticket.seoulsky | 롯데월드타워 서울스카이 | 100K+ | Updated* |
| com.Monthly23.LevelUpSnakeBall | Snake Ball Lover | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.nmp.playgeto | 게토(geto) – PC방 게이머 필수 앱 | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.note.app.memorymemo | 기억메모 – 심플해서 더 좋은 메모장 | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.player.pb.stream | 풀빵 : 광고 없는 유튜브 영상 … | 100K+ | Removed** |
| com.realbyteapps.moneya | Money Manager (Remove Ads) | 100K+ | Updated* |
| com.wishpoke.fanciticon | Inssaticon – Cute Emoticons, K | 100K+ | Removed** |
| marifish.elder815.ecloud | 클라우드런처 | 100K+ | Updated* |
| com.dtryx.scinema | 작은영화관 | 50K+ | Updated* |
| com.kcld.ticketoffice | 매표소–뮤지컬문화공연 예매& … | 50K+ | Updated* |
| com.lotteworld.ticket.aquarium | 롯데월드 아쿠아리움 | 50K+ | Updated* |
| com.lotteworld.ticket.waterpark | 롯데 워터파크 | 50K+ | Updated* |
| com.skt.skaf.l001mtm091 | T map for KT, LGU+ | 50K+ | Removed** |
| org.howcompany.randomnumber | 숫자 뽑기 | 50K+ | Updated* |
| com.aog.loader | 로더(Loader) – 효과음 다운로드 앱 | 10K+ | Removed** |
| com.gomtv.gomaudio.pro | GOM Audio Plus – Music, Sync l | 10K+ | Updated* |
| com.NineGames.SwipeBrickBreaker2 | Swipe Brick Breaker 2 | 10K+ | Removed** |
| com.notice.safehome | 안심해 – 안심귀가 프로젝트 | 10K+ | Removed** |
| kr.thepay.chuncheon | 불러봄내 – 춘천시민을 위한 공공 … | 10K+ | Removed** |
| com.curation.fantaholic | 판타홀릭 – 아이돌 SNS 앱 | 5K+ | Removed** |
| com.dtryx.cinecube | 씨네큐브 | 5K+ | Updated* |
| com.p2e.tia.tnt | TNT | 5K+ | Removed** |
| com.health.bestcare | 베스트케어–위험한 전자기장, … | 1K+ | Removed** |
| com.ninegames.solitaire | InfinitySolitaire | 1K+ | Removed** |
| com.notice.newsafe | 안심해 : 안심지도 | 1K+ | Removed** |
| com.notii.cashnote | 노티아이 for 소상공인 | 1K+ | Removed** |
| com.tdi.dataone | TDI News – 최초 데이터 뉴스 앱 … | 1K+ | Removed** |
| com.ting.eyesting | 눈팅 – 여자들의 커뮤니티 | 500+ | Removed** |
| com.ting.tingsearch | 팅서치 TingSearch | 50+ | Removed** |
| com.celeb.tube.krieshachu | 츄스틱 : 크리샤츄 Fantastic | 50+ | Removed** |
| com.player.yeonhagoogokka | 연하구곡 | 10+ | Removed** |
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