Joker malware: Every day, Google removes apps containing malware from Play Store . Cybersecurity firm CSIS recently uncovered a new malware called Joker that has been active since June of this year. The malware not only signed users up for subscription services, but also stole text messages, contact lists, and device information.
According to CSIS, the malware was found in 24 apps hosted on Google Play that had over 500,000 downloads. Google has removed the apps in question from its Play Store.
Joker malware secretly clicks on ads and stores text messages that have auth codes that verify payments.
Joker spyware managed, through these applications, to affect users in 37 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Ghana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Argentine Republic, Serbia, Ukraine, Singapore, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and United States.
The Joker spyware controls SIM cards associated with one of the above countries. It appears to have mainly affected users from Europe and Asia.
The spyware bypasses Google Play checks and hides malicious code within advertising boxes.
If you have these apps listed below, delete them immediately:
- Advocate Wallpaper
- Certain Wallpaper
- Dazzle Wallpaper
- Spark Wallpaper
- Age Face
- Collate Face Scanner
- Rapid Face Scanner
- Leaf Face Scanner
- Print Plant scan
- Altar Message
- Climate SMS
- Ruddy SMS
- Declare Message
- Antivirus Security – Security Scan
- Beach Camera
- Cute Camera
- Display Camera
- Humor Camera
- Mini Camera
- Soby Camera
- Board picture editing
- Reward Clean
- Great VPN
- Ignite Clean
After dozens of hacking incidents, Google needs to more closely scrutinize apps published on its app store and thoroughly vet third-party apps that use the Reproduction Protection feature. The worst part is that hackers are embedding malware into pre-installed apps that come with a new device. Therefore, users should be more suspicious of the apps they use.
