Adware is included in multiple applications downloaded over 15 million times on Google Play

ByCyberHades

Security software "Avast!"AVAST Software, which is engaged in the development and sale of the product, verified the story from the user, revealed that adware was hidden in the three applications distributed on Google Play. The total number of downloads of three applications is more than 15 million times, possibly installed on many terminals.

Avast blog »Apps on Google Play Pose As Games and Infect Millions of Users with Adware
https://blog.avast.com/2015/02/03/apps-on-google-play-pose-as-games-and-infect-millions-of-users-with-adware/

A user named andrei.mankevich says that malicious adware is included in the three game applications "Durak", "IQ test", and "History App" that were released on Google PlayForum of AVAST SoftwarePosted on. When Avast installed and verified the application after receiving the post, the application had the adware directed to a malicious site being structured.


Although it seems that there was no problem at all just a few days after installation, smartphone began to malfunction in 1 week later, and each time unlocking the terminal, "the terminal is infected with virus" or "terminal A warning message such as "The update period of time has expired" has come up. In the warning message there is a button that recommends updating, and tapping that button will lead you to a malicious site.


According to AVAST Software's security team, it is very difficult to notice that the warning message is adware if a person not familiar with the smartphone is infected, and there is a possibility that many people were damaged. The total number of downloads of three applications found this time exceeded 15 million times, and many users may be infected with adware.

The number of downloads can be used as one of the indicators for confirming whether or not the application is safe, but if you receive that adware has been structured in multiple applications with more than 15 million total downloads, It seems better to see the review without making a decision or to check the safety by searching the application in the browser


Please be aware that Google has deleted the three apps that were problematic about 1 day after the announcement of AVAST Software from Google Play, and the page is not present at the moment writing the article.