Google has banned a further four mobile applications after discovering them to be packed with dangerous malware - and is urging anyone who may have downloaded them to delete them urgently.
Security experts at Malwarebytes initially uncovered the dangerous platforms, which were listed for download on the Google Play store.
The apps were deemed to be loaded with malware, directing unsuspecting users to phishing sites used by con artists.
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The Mirror reports that once there, people's sensitive data could be stolen and used for malicious purposes. Each of the apps have since been removed from online listing, but those who may have accessed them before they were taken down are being urged to remove them from devices as a matter of priority.
Each of the offending apps were released by a mobile developer called the "Mobile apps Group", the Express reports. At the time of writing, the company's website was completely inaccessible.
The highest-rated app released by Mobile apps Group came in the form of Bluetooth Auto Connect, released in October 2020 and accruing more than one million downloads. The other tainted applications were named Bluetooth App Sender, Mobile transfer: smart switch and Driver: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB.
One of the avenues that developers used to bypass Google's strict screening programme was to delay the deployment of malicious behaviour. For the first few days post-installation, each of the apps boasted typically smooth sailing - with untoward behaviour coming later.
At this point, spam and phishing websites would begin popping up on victims' devices.
While on the face of things it may have appeared that the sites were nothing to worry about, the pages became far more insidious as time passed. According to Malwarebytes, the malicious app began opening phishing sites in Chrome, with the content varying.
While some came in the form of pay-per-click content, others were dangerous sites used to trick unsuspecting users into parting ways with personal data and information. One such site included adult content, which would then lead to a phishing page informing the user that they had been infected, or needed to upgrade their device.
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 user's browser history will also be a long list of nasty phishing sites."
Although the apps no longer appear on the Google Play Store, those already in possession need to delete them to keep their Android devices safe.
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