Get rid of these.
A new report by software company Check Point has shown that malware unknowingly downloaded in apps by the public are stealing money from millions of users.
Check Point’s mobile threat research team identified a new variant of an Android malware called ExpensiveWall that sends fraudulent premium SMS messages and charges users’ accounts for fake services without their knowledge.
“In some cases, the SMS activity takes place without giving the user any notice. In other cases, the malware presents the user with a button called “Continue,” and once the user clicks the button, the malware sends a premium SMS on his behalf,” the report reads.
Over 50 apps in the Google Play Store were affected and were downloaded by up to four million users.
“While ExpensiveWall is currently designed only to generate profit from its victims, a similar malware could be easily modified to use the same infrastructure in order to capture pictures, record audio, and even steal sensitive data and send the data to a command and control (C&C) server,” Check Point said.
“Since the malware is capable of operating silently, all of this illicit activity takes place without the victim’s knowledge, turning it into the ultimate spying tool.”
The affected apps were reported to Google Play in August and were removed but the report said that more versions of it appeared again within days.
Below is the full list of apps affected courtesy of The Independent.
- I Love Fliter
- Tool Box Pro
- X WALLPAPER
- Horoscope
- X Wallpaper Pro
- Beautiful Camera
- Color Camera
- Love Photo
- Tide Camera
- Charming Camera
- Horoscope
- DIY Your Screen
- Ringtone
- ดวง 12 ราศี Lite
- Safe locker
- Wifi Booster
- Cool Desktop
- useful cube
- Tool Box Pro
- Useful Desktop
- ดวง 12 ราศี Lite
- Horoscope2.0
- Yes Star
- Shiny Camera
- Simple Camera
- Smiling Camera
- Universal Camera
- Amazing Toolbox
- Easy capture
- Memory Doctor
- Tool Box Pro
- Reborn Beauty
- Joy Photo
- Fancy Camera
- Amazing Photo
- Amazing Camera
- Super Wallpaper
- DD Player
- Fascinating Camera
- Universal Camera
- Cream Camera
- Looking Camera
- DD Weather
- Global Weather
- Love Fitness
- Pretty Pictures
- Cool Wallpapers
- Beauty Camera
- Love locker
- Real Star
- Magic Camera
- Wonder Camera
- Funny Camera
- Easy Camera
- Smart Keyboard
- Travel Camera
- Photo Warp
- Lovely Wallpaper
- Lattice Camera
- Quick Charger
- Up Camera
- Photo Power
- HDwallpaper
- Wonderful Games
- BI File Manager
- Wallpapers HD
- Beautiful Video-Edit your Memory
- Wonderful Cam
- useful cube
- Ringtone
- Exciting Games
- Replica Adventure
- GG Player
- Love Camera
- Oneshot Beautify
- Pretty Camera
- CuteCamera
- Cartoon Camera-stylish, clean
- Art Camera
- Amazing Video
- Fine Photo
- Infinity safe
- Magical Horoscope
- Toolbox
- Cute Belle
- CartoonWallpaper
- Ringtone
- Best Camera
- Colorful Locker
- Light Keyboard
- Safe Privacy
- Enjoy Wallpaper
- File Manager
- Fancy locker
- Cute Puzzle
- Smile Keyboard
- Vitality Camera
- Lock Now
- Fancy Camera
- Useful Camera
- Vitality Camera
- Sec Transfer
- Lock Now
- Magic Filter
- Funny Video
- Amazing Gamebox
- Super locker
- Music Player