Google has issued a warning to over a million Android users who were tricked into downloading dangerous apps from Google Play Store.
Four apps were found to have dangerous software included in them, which directed unsuspecting users to phishing websites designed to steal personal data such as addresses and bank details. The issue was discovered by security experts at Malwarebytes, with the four apps being swiftly removed from Google Play Store.
However, over one million people downloaded these apps before they were delisted, with Google now urging users to check and delete them as soon as possible.
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All four of the apps were released by a developer called 'Mobile apps Group', whose official website in currently inaccessible, reports The Express.
The most popular of the four apps was called Bluetooth Auto Connect, and was downloaded more than a million times since release in October 2020.
The other dangerous apps are as follows:
- Bluetooth App Sender
- Mobile transfer: smart switch
- Driver: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
The apps were able to get by Android security systems by delaying development of malicious behaviour. During the first few days after download, the apps were typically smooth sailing, with any untoward behaviour typically starting later. At this point, spam phishing websites would start appearing on user's devices, getting more suspicious as time went on.
According to Malwarebytes, the malicious app begins opening phishing sites in Chrome. The content of this would vary. While some were harmless sites used simply to produce pay-per-click.
Others were more dangerous phishing sites which attempted to trick unsuspecting users. One such site included adult content which would lead to a phishing page telling the user they've been infected, or needed to perform an update.
Malwarebytes said: "The Chrome tabs are opened in the background even while the mobile device is locked. When the user unlocks their device, Chrome opens with the latest site. A new tab opens with a new site frequently, and as a result, unlocking your phone after several hours means closing multiple tabs. The users browser history will also be a long list of nasty phishing sites."
How do you delete an app from Google Play Store and Android device?
- Open the Google Play Store app
- At the top right, tap the profile icon
- Tap Manage apps and devices
Tap the name of the app that you want to delete
Tap Uninstall
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