Google recently eliminated 52 apps that can intercept passwords, steal Facebook credentials and take screenshots of private conversations. Tap or click here to make sure you don’t have any installed on your phone.
There is yet another wave of bad apps you need to watch out for and they have already been downloaded nearly 10 million times. Below we have the complete list and tips for keeping safe.
Here’s the background
Despite its resources, Google can’t keep up with every bad app uploaded to its official Play Store. Fortunately, cybersecurity experts always try to warn Big Tech.
The Doctor Web team highlighted 28 malicious apps in the Google Play Store, including photo editing tools, custom wallpapers, and keyboard themes, among others. Eight more malicious apps masquerading as camera, photo, and chat apps.
Doctor Web spoke to Google about the threats, but some remain in the Play Store.
Are there any of these apps on your phone?
Here are the top 28 malicious apps provided by Doctor Web. These apps push intrusive ads, steal information, hack social media accounts, download malware, intercept messages and more.
Check and double check if you have any of these installed on your device:
- Photo editor: beauty filter – gb.artfilter.tenvarnist
- Photo editor: retouching and cropping – de.nineergysh.quickarttwo
- Photo Editor: Art Filters – gb.painnt.moonlightingnine
- Photo Editor – Design Creator – gb.twentynine.redaktoridea
- Photo editor and background eraser – de.photoground.twentysixshot
- Photo editor and Exif – de.xnano.photoexifeditornine
- Photo Editor – Filter Effects – de.hitopgop.sixtyeightgx
- Photo filters and effects – de.sixtyone collice.cameraroll
- Photo editor: image blur – de.instgang.fiftyggfife
- Photo editor: cut, paste – de.fiftyninecamera.rollredactor
- Emoji keyboard: stickers and GIFs – gb.crazykey.sevenboard
- Neon themed keyboard – com.neonthemekeyboard.app
- Neon Theme – Android Keyboard – com.androidneonkeyboard.app
- Cash cleaner – com.cachecleanereasytool.app
- Full of imagination – com.fancyanimatedbattery.app
- FastCleaner: Cash cleaner – com.fastcleanercashecleaner.app
- Call Skin – Caller Themes – com.rockskinthemes.app
- Funny caller – com.funnycallercustomtheme.app
- CallMe phone themes – com.callercallwallpaper.app
- InCall: background of the contact – com.mycallcustomcallscrean.app
- MyCall: personalization of calls – com.mycallpersonalization.app
- Caller theme – com.caller.theme.lento
- Caller theme – com.callertheme.firstref
- Funny Wallpapers – Live Screen – com.funnywallpaperslive.app
- 4K automatic wallpaper change – de.andromo.ssfiftylivesixcc
- NewScrean: 4D wallpapers – com.newscrean4dwallpapers.app
- Stock wallpapers and backgrounds – de.stockighty.onewallpapers
- Notes: reminders and lists – com.notesreminderslists.app
Here are some other bad apps to watch out for
The second group of malicious apps completes the list of 36. These apps contain Joker malware, a type of fleeceware that entices you with free trials before automatically switching to a subscription.
Once you’re tied up, canceling your subscription is a hassle. Joker can also intercept passwords, install other apps on your device, bypass two-factor authentication during in-app purchases, and take screenshots of your messages.
Check your phone for these apps:
- Little pitcher
- 4K Pro camera
- Heart Emoji Stickers
- YouToon – AI cartoon effect
- Track – Cartoon Photo Effect
- Water reminder: tracker and reminder
- Yoga: from beginner to advanced
- Chat online
Tap or click here to find and remove four other Android apps that spread Joker malware.
Now is the time to eliminate!
Regardless of whether Google removed all these apps from the Play Store or not, you still need to delete them from your phone. That’s how:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
- Faucet Manage apps and devices > Manage.
- Tap the name of the app you want to delete.
- Faucet Uninstall.
How to stay safe now and in the future
Deleting the offending apps is the first step. Now you need to make sure you don’t fall victim to malware. Here are some cybersecurity tips:
- Activate Google Play Protect by going to Google Play Store > Profile> Play Protect> Settings and turn on Scan apps with Play Protect.
- Check your phone for security updates by going to Settings > System > System update.
- Open a web browser on your phone and run a Google security check on myaccount.google.com/security-checkup. Follow the steps to provide your device with stronger security settings.
- Download apps from official app stores only. Always go to the official source and double check that you are installing the correct app.
- Beware of apps that use a similar logo to other popular apps or have similar functions. Also, check reviews to see if others warn of suspicious activity.
- Pay attention to the permissions. Stay away if an app wants full access to your text messages or notifications.
- Have reliable antivirus software on all of your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get a TotalAV Internet Security annual plan for just $ 19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
Keep reading
Malware is still a big deal for Android – here’s what to watch out for
Check your phone! 8 dangerous malware apps identified