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It’s only January, but there are already emergency Android alerts that phone owners shouldn’t ignore. Google removed 12 of his apps from the popular Play Store. It turned out that these apps were trying to trick users into watching endless ads or steal sensitive data through so-called phishing attacks.
Discovered by Dr.Web’s cyber security team, the issue affected many very popular apps that have been downloaded over 5 million times by Android users around the world.
The first two apps that disappeared from Google promised users rewards for being active. The more users walked and exercised every day, the more points they earned towards free prizes.
However, when most people tried to cash out, they either blocked the charge or asked them to watch endless ads for nothing in return. One of them is still available on the Play Store.
If you have them on your device, consider removing them now.
The app…
• Lucky Steps – Walking Tracker • 10 million downloads
• WalkingJoy • 5 million downloads
• Lucky Habit: Health Tracker • 5 million downloads (still available on the Play Store.
The following application bundles to be removed from Google’s servers have been found attempting to siphon personal data via phishing tactics.
Phishing is when an attacker tries to trick a user into doing something “wrong”. For example, clicking malicious links to download malware or lead to dangerous websites.
According to Dr.Web, some of these fake applications were distributed under the guise of investment software, directories, and surveys, while others offered simple and addictive games to lure users. bottom.
Of course, none of these attractive features were really there. Instead, victims were asked to provide personal data in order to submit an “application” for account registration or to communicate with so-called “experts.” Apps that have been removed from the Play Store include:
Apps recently removed from Play Store
• Golden Hunt • 100,000 downloads
• Reflector • 100K Downloads
• Seven Golden Wolf Blackjack • 100K Downloads
• Unlimited Scores • 50K Downloads
• Big decisions • 50,000 downloads
• Jewel Sea – 10,000 downloads
• Lux Fruits Game – 10,000 Downloads
• Lucky Clover – 10,000 downloads
• King Blitz – 5K Download
Lucky Hammer – 1K Download
Detection statistics collected by Dr.Web for Android show an increase in adware Trojan and spyware activity in December 2022. At the same time, many new threats were discovered on Google Play during the last month. Among them were dozens of fake apps and Trojans that induced victims to sign up for paid services.
Now is a good time to be vigilant when downloading new apps. Check reviews and try to install applications only from trusted developers.
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