Google Removes Malevolent Flashlight Applications from its Play Store

Almost 24 Android Flashlight along with associated utility applications had been eliminated from Google's Play Store following discovery of one malevolent advertising element named "LightsOut" within the mentioned apps. In all, downloading of the applications occurred 1.5 to 7.5m times.

Check Point the security company had its researchers detect the malevolent applications' bundle which would generate corrupt advertisement income through deceptively making end-users click on and open advertisement links exhibited on their smart-phone screens.

It is believed that the code with which the corrupt ad income is generated has had over 1.5m downloads. A few end-users complained they were compelled towards clicking on the advertisements for answering phone-calls as well as carrying out the daily operations on their phones. According to one end-user, the malevolent advertisement activity went on despite buying of the application's ad-free edition, so the malevolent activity rose to another level. Betanews.com posted this on the Web dated January 5, 2018.

Reportedly, one checkbox is produced to the end-user from the malevolent application. There is also one control panel offered. Within these, the end-user can activate or deactivate more services besides exhibiting ads. For starting off ads, there must be one Wi-Fi connection, ending of phone-call, attachment of one charger else locking of the screen.

Upon installation of the application, an included malware produces numerous fake security notifications along with more messages as the application runs. These notifications tell of deceptive SMS broadcast security flaw alternatively waste happening of 10.0GB sized files.

There is one button of 'prompt the application' which if pressed will display certain animation depicting the security glitches being corrected. Additionally the malware bombards various advertisements within numerous separate situations such as following the application dispatching notifications for unlocking the phone's screen else the end-user directed for plugging a charger. Ever since these events, the applications have gotten eliminated from the Play, says Check Point.

Daniel Padon security researcher with Check Point lauded the successful attempt of Google stopping more dangerous malware, in particular, ransomware; however according to him, Google is hurdled with detecting subtler malware which end-users mightn't observe over a short period.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/11/2018