Be careful if you are used to downloading new applications to your smartphone.

Google has just removed nine apps - infected with malware - from its Play Store.

The software, which took the guise of photo editing apps, online horoscopes, and sports coaching apps, actually allowed the creators of these apps to hack users' Facebook profiles without their knowledge.

Above all, it is the way in which the hackers managed to fool Google that surprises.

The pirate software was functional - it really was photo editing, sports coaching, and horoscope apps.

There was therefore no question here of simple shells incorporating malware.

The software automatically obtained permission to access the user's Facebook account, and could then seize it to spread spam or viruses on the social network.

The applications have reportedly infected 5.8 million devices, via the Play Store.

According to ArsTechnica, the main objective of the hackers was hacking into Facebook accounts.

However, these could easily convert the software back on a simple command to load infected web pages on the device or recover passwords.

Make sure you don't have these apps

If Google has removed the nine applications from the Play Store, they remain available on several alternative stores and above all, users who have downloaded them will have to remove them from their terminals manually.

Below, you will find the complete list of applications that contain this dangerous malware:

  • Processing Photo

  • App Lock Keep

  • Rubbish Cleaner

  • Hororscope Daily

  • Horoscope Pi

  • App Lock Manager

  • Lockit Master

  • Inwell Fitness

  • PiP Photo

If one of these is installed on your device, we recommend that you change your Facebook password and potentially the passwords of any services you log into with identical credentials as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, neither Facebook nor Google will be able to help you in the event of a hack.

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  • Google

  • Facebook

  • High-Tech

  • Mobile app

  • Application

  • Personal data

  • Cybersecurity

  • Hacker

  • Pirate

  • Android