Google has removed 17 Android apps from the Play Store. The 17 applications identified by security researchers Zscaler, were infected with Joker malware (also known as Bread).
“This spyware is designed to steal messages SMS, λίστες επαφών και πληροφορίες της συσκευής, ενώ γράφει σιωπηλά τα θύματα σε premium υπηρεσίες (wireless application protocol or WAP),” reports Zscaler security researcher Viral Gandhi.
The 17 malware 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
- Only 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.