Some Android apps seem to be riddled with new malware and have been removed from the Google Play Store. A total of 17 apps were found to be infected by the Joker malware. The suite of applications was discovered by security researchers at a California-based IT security company called Zscaler.
According to the statement released by the organization, these 17 applications were downloaded 1.20,000 times. Researchers were constantly monitoring the Joker malware and had witnessed regular uploads to the Google Play store. Once the Google Android security team was notified, the suspicious apps were removed. However, phones that already had these apps installed would need to remove them from their phones manually.
In a statement, the Zscaler security researcher stated: “Joker is one of the most prominent malware families continually attacking Android devices. Despite the knowledge of this particular malware, it continues to find its way into the official Google application market by employing changes to its code, execution methods, or payload recovery techniques. This spyware is designed to steal SMS messages, contact lists, and device information, as well as silently registering the victim for premium wireless application protocol (WAP) services. “
These are the applications affected by the malware and can be dangerous for the user’s data and device:
Every good PDF scanner
Mint Leaf Message – Your Private Message
Unique keyboard – free stylish fonts and emoticons
Tangram app crash
Direct messenger
Private SMS
One Sentence Translator – Multifunctional Translator
Style Photo Collage
Meticulous scanner
Desire Translate
Talent Photo Editor – Defocused focus
Care message
Part Message
Paper document scanner
Blue scanner
Hummingbird PDF Converter – Photo to PDF
Every good PDF scanner
For the detailed report published by the security researchers, click here.
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