Android alert as more than 500,000 users download Joker malware-infected app - DailyNationToday

WARNING about a new ‘infectious’ Google Play app containing notorious malware ‘joke’ has been released by cyber experts.

The urgent announcement comes after the dodgy app, called Color Message, was downloaded more than 500,000 times.

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This app, which has been removed from the Google Play Store, allows users to personalize SMS messages on their devices.

But in reality, it is just a front for nasty malware capable of causing a chain of “unauthorized behaviour”.

Based on zdnet, this includes creating malicious ads, subscribing users to premium services in unwanted pairs, and submitting their contact lists to hackers.

The cyber experts at Pradeo have since been exposed to the sinister app – determining how it managed to bypass Google’s protocols.

Pradeo’s Roxane Suau said: “By using as little code as possible and hiding it thoroughly, Joker creates a very discreet footprint that is difficult to detect.

She added that this is not the first time Joker has been spotted in the Play Store recently as she urged all users to uninstall the app immediately.

The new warning comes just weeks after a number of Google’s criminal apps – with the ability to hack your bank accounts – affected thousands of online users.

Network experts at Threats described as “very sophisticated.”

“Google policy has forced parties to find ways to significantly reduce the footprint of drip applications,” ThreatFainst explains.

“By introducing carefully planned minor malicious code updates over a longer period of time in Google Play.”

Cyber ​​experts also warn that the malware is so sophisticated that even virus detectors struggle to detect their nefarious actions.

List of dangerous Android apps

Here is the list of apps revealed by ThreatFainst…

• Two-factor authentication – com.flowdivision
• Protect protection – com.protectionguard.app
• QR CreatorScanner – com.ready.qrscanner.mix
• Master Scanner Live – com.multiaries.combine.qr
• QR Scanner 2021 – com.qr.code.generate
• QR Scanner – com.qr.barqr.scangen
• PDF Document Scanner – Scan to PDF – com.xaviermuches.docscannerpro2
• PDF Document Scanner – com.docscanverifier.mobile
• Free PDF Document Scanner – com.doscanner.mobile
• CryptoTracker – cryptolistapp.app.com.cryptotracker
• Fitness and fitness trainer – com.gym.trainer.jeux
• Fitness and fitness trainer – com.gym.trainer.jeux (reload)

If any of these apps are installed on your Android phone, users should remove them immediately.

The experts also added that they should also consider changing their bank passwords and checking their accounts for strange behavior.