A fake app called ES File Explorer was released on the Google Play Store. The app bombarded them users with endless ads without offering the features that a file manager has.
Google removed the first ES File Explorer app from the Play Store earlier this year because it tricked users into collecting clicks, and the company DO Global that developed it has not released it since.
Let's say the first app was quite popular, despite being removed for click fraud.
Because, as mentioned above, the application was very popular, it was a matter of time until someone could use her name for malicious purposes.
Lukas Stefanko, a researcher at ESET's security company, discovered the false application ES File Explorer and Reported on Twitter, explaining that once it's installed, it starts bombarding users with ads.
“The app didn't work for 2 minutes and showed 9 ads full screens, when I was still in the settings. To appear credible, he asks for her enrollment you", says Stefanko.
The most worrying thing of all, however, is that this app has already descended more than 10.000 times Google Play Store, most likely by users who believe they installed the first application.
DO Global did not say anything about a possible return to its implementation and said it only accepted Google's decision to remove ES File Manager from the Play Store.
"We fully understand the gravity of the allegations. Therefore, we immediately conducted an internal investigation into this matter. We're sorry to see anomalies in some of the AdMob ads that use our products. This way, we fully understand and accept Google's decision. In addition, we have been actively working with them to conduct a thorough investigation into each of our applications, ”the statement said.
Meanwhile, if you are using the Play Store, before you go ahead with installing any app, read the reviews, check the name of the developer, and read the description of the application.
As mentioned, the fake application ES File Explorer has already been removed from the Google Play Store. If you still have it on your device, you will need to delete it if you have not already.
____________________
- Huawei HongMeng: faster than Android and iOS
- Microsoft: if it had developed an Android first
- DNS-over-HTTPS activation in Firefox
- Bootable Windows PE recovery discs that will store your system
