Friday, Apr 19, 2024 | Last Update : 06:19 AM IST
Google removes 85 adware-infested apps from the play store
Most of the apps were found to be disguised as photography applications and games.
Researchers at Trend Micro found another example of adware hiding beneath the skin of applications on the Google play store.
"We found another example of adware's potential real-life impact on Google Play. Trend Micro detects this as AndroidOS_Hidenad.HRXH. Apart from displaying advertisements that are difficult to close, it employs unique techniques to evade detection through user behaviour and time-based triggers," wrote Ecular Xu, who is a mobile threat response engineer at the organisation.
Most of these detected apps were disguised as photography apps and games, said the company. These apps were also downloaded around 8 million times.
Some of the most popular apps among the removed 85 are called Super Selfie, Cos Camera, Pop Camera and One Stroke line puzzle—If you have any of these apps in your phone, remove them immediately. According to reports, the applications were uploaded from different developer accounts but showed the same behavior, even sharing same code.
However, it was also pointed out that this adware affected older versions of android. If you are running Android 8 Oreo, or Android 9 Pie, which are the two latest versions used in most devices, you should be good. Regardless, if you happen to have these apps, get rid of them immediately.
