Google has urged millions of Android users to check their smartphones without delay and remove some popular apps from their devices, according to several websites.
Security experts have discovered a new threat targeting Android phones and urged millions of users to check their devices immediately.
The latest attack, discovered by the McAfee Mobile Security team, is capable of accessing popular applications with a malware suite and running them without the knowledge or consent of the phone owner.
McAfee's research team named the software group Goldoson, and once one of the group's software is installed, criminals can use it to find out the Wi-Fi history, devices connected to the phone via Bluetooth, which apps are being used, and even look for nearby GPS locations.
More seriously, hackers may actually make money from such operations without the owner of the phone knowing. This type of attack is also known for its ability to slow down devices, as phones often become overloaded with data.
McAfee's team confirmed that it had discovered more than 60 apps containing this malicious third-party group, with more than 100 million downloads. The team has already informed Google of the problem, which in turn has asked developers to fix their apps or block them from their App Store.
Google has banned more than 30 apps that pose a security risk to users (Reuters)
While some apps have quickly collaborated and modified their programs, more than 30 apps appear to have been banned, as Google has found apps containing the malware in question.
McAfee's Sang Ryol Roy said: "Google informed us about detected apps, took immediate action and notified developers that their apps violated Google Play Store policies and that fixes were necessary to authorize their apps on the App Store. Accordingly, some applications have been removed while others have been updated by official developers."
The problem mainly targets users in South Korea, and there are no reports of other users being infected, but Google still urges all Android users to be cautious before installing new apps on their devices.
How to avoid falling into the trap of malware?
To avoid these apps, you should always check reviews, make sure you trust the developer, and if you notice a change in your phone's performance after installation, it may be worth considering deleting the last app(s) you downloaded.
Also, you should not download applications from third-party providers because this program often does not go through the same rigorous checks carried out by the Google Store.
Suspicious websites and apps
Among the most suspicious apps, according to McAfee's report, are Swipe Brick Breaker, which has been downloaded 10 million times, and Megabox and Pikicast, which have reached 5 million devices each.
To find out the full list of suspicious applications and websites, you can go to the McAfee team report page.