Malware hidden in eight Android apps with a total of 700,000 installations was discovered. The apps not only stole users' text messages, but also carried out unauthorized purchases using victims' money. Security firm McAfee said the apps were listed on the Google Play Store in Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula before it worked with Google to remove them.
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McAfee said the infected Android apps were disguised as photo editors, wallpapers, puzzles and other camera-related apps. To get past Google's bouncers, the apps would have to have been clean when they were submitted to the Play Store, so the malicious code was added later in updates.
We often tell you that browsing the app comments section can save you from installing a malicious and problematic application. McAfee calls this Android/Etinu malware.
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McAfee says Etinu is similar to another Android malware family known as Joker, which also hijacks text messages and makes unauthorized purchases while the victim is paying. Although Google has removed the apps from the Play Store, they are still on your phone. The eight apps that you should uninstall if you find them on your Android device are:
- com.studio.keypaper2021
- com.pip.editor.camera
- org.my.favorites.up.keypaper
- com.super.color.hairdryer
- com.ce1ab3.app.photo.editor
- com.hit.camera.pip
- com.daynight.keyboard.wallpaper
- com.super.star.ringtones
McAfee says, “The McAfee Mobile Research team continues to monitor these threats and protect customers by analyzing every possible malware and works with app stores to have it removed. Additionally, using McAfee Mobile Security can detect such threats and protect you. However, it is important to pay the necessary attention to apps that request permissions related to SMS and listening… legitimate photo and wallpaper apps will not request such accesses because they are not required for the operation of such apps.”
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If a permission request looks suspicious and you have already found negative comments about the app from users, stay away from this application.
Information source: phonearena.com
