Android users have been put on alert, as hundreds of apps found in the Google Play Store have been loaded with malware that can steal people's passwords and other vital information, according to a report published by Express.

Security experts have discovered more than 200 applications on the Google Play Store loaded with malware capable of stealing people's passwords.

Some programs - including fitness programs, photo editing and VPN applications - have been downloaded and installed more than 100,000 times, making them a serious problem.

The malware in question is the Facestealer spyware, which was first discovered in 2021 and got its name because it was able to hack Facebook login details.

In addition to stealing user credentials, FaceStellar can also collect Facebook cookies as well as personal information associated with a user's account.

This data can then be used by online fraudsters in identity fraud.

Researchers at security firm Trend Micro have discovered hundreds of dangerous applications, including 40 fake cryptocurrency applications designed to trick users into paying for subscription services or even steal private keys needed to access cryptocurrency wallets.

Trend Micro alerted Google to dangerous applications;

The latter removed it from its store as soon as it confirmed there was a problem.

But if you download any of these apps before removing them, you are still at risk.

Trend Micro alerted Google to dangerous apps;

The latter removed it from its store once it was confirmed that there was a problem (Reuters)

List of programs that have been deleted

The programs that have been removed include: Daily Fitness OL, Enjoy Photo Editor, Panorama Camera, Photo Gaming Puzzle and Swarm Photo and Business Meta Manager.

Trend Micro gave some tips on enhancing the security of users, and advised Android device owners to always check a little bit in any app before downloading it, check information such as the amount of negative reviews and look deeper into the developer file.

"Users can avoid such fake apps by checking user reviews, especially negative ones, to see if there are any concerns or unusual experiences from actual users who have downloaded the apps," the security experts said.

Users should also do their due diligence to search the developer and publisher files of these apps, so that they can better avoid apps with scam websites or bad publishers.”