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Six QR Reader and One Smart Compass Apps Infected with Malware on Google Play

 

Android malware appears as lurking everywhere. Often over some weeks, there's one fresh batch of apps we get to find on Google's Play Store containing certain type of malicious software implanted onto them. Currently, apparently several 'QR code reader' apps likely are attacking unwitting users.

 

Specifically, SophosLabs reports observing a good many 7 QR code readers possibly contaminated with malware and enlisted onto the Play. And besides these QR code reader applications, there possibly is a lone 'smart compass' contaminated too.

 

Sophos identified malicious software which it stated had crept inside Google Play Store via 7 separate Android applications. Of these, 6 are QR readers while a lone smart compass. The malicious software as well dispatches end-users notifications carrying web-links leading onto ads.

 

The particular malware is named Andr/HiddnAd-AJ which throws light on its activity. It bombards end-users with advertisements; however, solely having remained dormant for sometime so end-users get into feeling secured that's actually false, explains Paul Ducklin of Sophos. Cnet.com posted this, March 26, 2018.

 

Expectedly, Google, prompted with the event, will fine tune the malware scanning procedure it employs, so quite possibly there will no more be similar such apps. And even though apps infected with malware are seen from time to time, actually taking down applications from Google continues to be pretty safer in comparison if they're taken down from 3rd-party sources. Once installed, the malware remains inactive 6-hrs prior to starting its real activity i.e. delivering adware, thrusting full screen malicious ads in massive numbers, revealing them on web-pages as well as dispatching different notifications having web-links related to ads.

 

According to Sophos, a lot of Android app cashes outside proper market don't have any checks whatsoever. Anybody can download them -a very helpful thing in case that person seeks unusual else extremely dexterous apps which likely won't get as far as Google Play.

 

Sophos informed Google of the latest discoveries following which Google fast eliminated the apps from its Play Store. Nevertheless, innumerable devices are contaminated.

 

Although Google inadvertently didn't detect the malware-tainted applications, Sophos even then recommends Play Store for downloading apps from.

» SPAMfighter News - 3/30/2018

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