It seems like we can’t go a week without a bunch of malicious apps being discovered on the Google Play Store.
Google recently removed a whopping 52 apps capable of intercepting passwords, stealing Facebook credentials, and taking screenshots of private conversations. Tap or click here to make sure you don’t have one installed on your phone.
There’s another wave of bad apps to watch out for, and they’ve already been downloaded nearly 10 million times. We’ve got the full list and tips to stay safe below.
Here’s the backstory
Despite its resources, Google cannot keep up with all the bad apps uploaded to its official Play Store. Fortunately, cybersecurity experts are always looking to tip off Big Tech.
The team of medical website highlighted 28 malicious apps on the Google Play Store consisting of photo editing tools, custom wallpapers, and keyboard themes, among others. Eight other malicious apps disguised as camera, photo, and chat apps.
Doctor Web told Google about the threats, but some remain in the Play Store.
Are any of these apps on your phone?
Here are the top 28 malicious apps provided by Doctor Web. These apps deliver intrusive ads, steal information, break into social media accounts, download malware, intercept messages, and more.
Please check and double check if you have any of these installed on your device:
- Photo Editor: Beauty Filter — gb.artfilter.tenvarnist
- Photo Editor – Retouch & Crop — from.nineergysh.quickarttwo
- Photo editor: artistic filters — gb.painnt.moonlightingnine
- Photo Editor – Layout Creator — gb.twentynine.redaktoridea
- Photo editor and background eraser — from.photoground.twentysixshot
- Photo editor and Exif — from.xnano.photoexifeeditornine
- Photo Editor – Filter Effects — from.hitopgop.sixtyeightgx
- Photo filters and effects — from.sixtyonecollice.cameraroll
- Photo Editor: Blur Image — from.instgang.fiftyggfife
- Photo editor: cut, paste — from.fiftyninecamera.rolleditor
- Emoji Keyboard: Stickers & GIFs — gb.crazykey.sevenboard
- neon theme keyboard — com.neonthemekeyboard.app
- Neon Theme – Android Keyboard — com.androidneonkeyboard.app
- cash cleaner — com.cachecleanereasytool.app
- smart charging — com.fancyanimatedbattery.app
- FastCleaner: Cash Cleaner — com.fastcleanercashecleaner.app
- Call Skins – Call Themes — com.rockskinthemes.app
- funny caller — com.funnycallercustomtheme.app
- CallMe Phone Themes — com.callercallwallpaper.app
- Incoming call: Contact history — com.mycallcustomcallscrean.app
- MyCall – personalization of calls — com.mycallcallpersonalization.app
- Caller Theme — com.caller.theme.slow
- Caller Theme — com.callertheme.firstref
- Funny Wallpapers – Live Wallpaper — com.funnywallpapaerslive.app
- Automatic wallpaper changer 4K — from.andromo.ssfiftylivesixcc
- NewScrean: 4D wallpapers — com.noticiascrean4dwallpapers.app
- wallpapers and backgrounds — by.stockeighty.onewallpapers
- Notes: reminders and lists — com.notesreminderslists.app
Here are more 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 malware that lures you in with free trials before automatically switching you to a subscription.
Once you’re connected, unsubscribing 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.
Search your phone for these apps:
- little pitcher
- 4K professional camera
- heart emoji stickers
- YouToon – AI Cartoon Effect
- Hint – Cartoon Photo Effect
- Water reminder: tracker and reminder
- Yoga: for beginners and advanced
- chat online
Tap or click here to find and remove four other Android apps spreading Joker malware.
Now it’s time to delete!
Whether or not Google removes all these apps from the Play Store, you still need to remove them from your phone. That is how:
- Open the google play store app
- In the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Play Manage apps and devices > Manage.
- Touch the name of the app you want to remove.
- Play uninstall.
How to stay safe now and in the future
Removing the offending apps is the first step. Now you need to make sure that you are not a victim of 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 > Upgrade system.
- Open a web browser on your phone and make a Google security check a myaccount.google.com/security-checkup. Follow the steps to give your device more robust security settings.
- Only download apps from official app stores. Always go to the official source and check that you are installing the correct application.
- Beware of apps that use a similar logo to other popular apps or have similar features. Also, check reviews to see if others are flagging suspicious activity.
- Pay attention to permissions. Stay away if an app wants full access to your text messages or notifications.
- Have reliable antivirus software on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, Total VA. 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 problem for Android – here’s what to watch out for