Η Google removed 17 Android apps from the Play Store. The 17 applications detected by its security researchers Zscaler, were infected with Joker malware (also known as Bread).
“This spyware is designed to steal SMS messages, contact lists and device information, while silently enrolling victims in premium services (wireless application protocol or WAP),” says Zscaler security researcher Viral Gandhi.
The 17 malicious applications removed from the Play Store had been downloaded more than 120.000 times before being detected.
The names of the 17 applications were:
- 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
- Hummingbird PDF Converter - Photo to PDF
- All Good PDF Scanner
According to ZDNet, after Google removed the apps from the Play Store, it used it service Play Protect to disable apps from infected devices.
However, if you have used any of the above applications you will need to delete it manually from your devices.