Google has removed applications with viruses. McAfee Mobile Research team recently uncovered 25 apps infected with Xamalicious malware. Many of these are published on the Google Play Store.
Google has since removed these infected apps from the Play Store. But they may still be installed on your phone. If this is the case, delete the applications immediately and check your accounts. Here are those applications…
Apps with viruses in Google Play Store!
- Logo Maker Pro – +100,000 downloads
- Essential Horoscope for Android – +100,000 downloads
- 3D Skin Editor for PE Minecraft – +100,000 downloads
- Auto Click Repeater – +10,000 downloads
- Count Easy Calorie Calculator – +10,000 downloads
- Sound Volume Extender – +5,000 downloads
- LetterLink – +1,000 downloads
- NUMEROLOGY: Personal Horoscope & Number Predictions – +1,000 downloads
- Step Keeper: Easy Pedometer – +1,000 downloads
- Track Your Sleep – +500 downloads
- Sound Volume Booster – +100 downloads
- Astrological Navigator: Daily Horoscope & Tarot – +100 downloads
- Universal Calculator – +100 downloads
As McAfee researchers explained, Xamalicious is a type of virus created on the mobile platform originating from Xamarin. Applications infected with this virus gain access to accessibility settings. Afterwards, the device starts communicating with a server without the owner’s knowledge.
This server then accesses your device as it wishes. It can even take control of your device. There is also the possibility of performing actions without the user’s consent, such as clicking on ads, installing unfamiliar applications, and fraud.
Using Xamarin allowed malware makers to remain active and undetected for long periods of time. Software developers who download APK files to hide the virus thus avoid detection. In addition, they applied different obfuscation techniques and special encryptions to exfiltrate data and connect it to the server.
However, these applications can no longer be downloaded from the Google Play Store. While this is good news, Google can’t remove viruses remotely if you’ve already downloaded the apps. To be safe, review your apps and get rid of them.
If you want to put your mind at ease, it will be useful for you to download and test an antivirus program. Or log out of all your accounts. Afterwards, restoring your phone to factory settings and scanning for viruses will also be one of the options.