Android device owners are being notified of apps infected with malicious code that is draining battery life. Worse, the apps can also eat up your monthly data allowance – and potentially overcharge you.
Oracle has revealed that applications that have been downloaded millions of times by users have been infected by something called DrainerBot.
The code is described as a “major mobile ad fraud operation” and can have devastating consequences for users. One of the main drawbacks is that it significantly drains your phone’s battery life, which can be a big problem especially if you have a lot of hours of use under your belt.
"Infected apps can consume more than 10GB of data per month to receive hidden and invisible video ads, potentially costing each device owner a hundred dollars a year or more in data overage charges," Oracle explained.
According to Oracle, hundreds of popular consumer applications have been infected, including:
- Perfect365
- VertxClub
- Draw Clash of Clans
- Touch 'n' Beat – Cinema
- Solitaire: 4 Seasons (Full)
"Apps infected with the DrainerBot virus appear to have been downloaded by consumers more than 10 million times, according to public download metrics," Oracle warned.
What is DrainerBot? It is a scam process that injects malicious code into Android smartphones and tablets. Once a device is infected, DrainerBot can deliver “fake, invisible ads” to the device. You won’t see these ads, but they will run in the background – earning a net profit for the scammers.
The infected app is reported by a group of advertisers to have been running video ads on legitimate websites, but in reality they are quietly running in the background of your device.
Android apps – how to stay safe
Here's exactly what you need to know..
- Remember to only install apps from the official Google Play Store
- However, rogue apps can even make it to the Play Store, so make sure you download from trusted sources
- Check the Battery section of your phone's settings to see if certain apps are using too much power in the background
- Also, check your data usage in your settings to see if certain apps are using up a lot of data
- If so, then it might be worth deleting them
- Always make sure you're using the latest software on your phone and keep your apps updated. This way, you'll have the latest security updates
The scammers get paid for showing the ads, but the advertisers get fooled – because no one ever saw the ads.
However, your battery life is being destroyed, as well as your data (because your phone is downloading video ads).
“DrainerBot is one of the first major ad fraud operations to cause clear and direct financial harm to consumers,” said Oracle’s Eric Roza.
“Apps infected with DrainerBot can cost users hundreds of dollars in unnecessary data charges, while draining their batteries and slowing down their devices. “We look forward to working with companies across the digital advertising ecosystem to identify, expose, and prevent this and other emerging types of ad fraud.”.
