Attention Android Users, the Google Play Store is Full of Viruses: Beware of What You Download

According to the security report, these 17 versions of the Joker malware alone have contributed to at least over 1.2 lakh downloads from the Google Play Store. The malicious apps in question included All Good PDF Scanner, Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message, Unique Keyboard – Fancy Fonts & Free Emoticons, Tangram App Lock, Direct Messenger, Private SMS, One Sentence Translator – Multifunctional Translator, Style Photo Collage, Meticulous Scanner, Desire Translate, Talent Photo Editor – Blur focus, Care Message, Part Message, Paper Doc Scanner, Blue Scanner and Hummingbird PDF Converter – Photo to PDF. All of these apps have now been removed from the Play Store after Google was alerted about the malware issue.

To prevent your data from being sacrificed, be sure to not download apps that are not published by verified developers. Even when you do download an app, do check for what permissions it asks for, and if you see that an app is asking for any permission that is not explicitly required by it, that in itself is a red flag. Apps bearing the Joker malware typically get SMS access and other features, and dupe users into subscribing to services that they never signed up for.

Given the increasing levels of threat coming on the Android app store due to the increasing malware attacks, it is very important that you keep yourselves safe.