Cyber security experts have revealed that a dangerous batch of apps on Android is riddled with viruses, which together have been downloaded more than a million times.
These malicious applications managed to bypass detection systems and the Google Play Store.
Experts reported that they found four applications that hide part of the malware known as HiddenAds.
The “stall tactic” is initially used by hackers to lure the user into a false sense of security. So you won’t notice an error right away, which makes you less inclined to suspect the app and delete it.
But after a few days, the app starts running maliciously, opening phishing sites in Chrome.
According to Malwarebytes, a malware scanning and anti-malware company, which revealed the latest trick, one of them includes adult content that leads to phishing pages, telling the user that they have been exposed to a virus or need an update.
Even more alarming, tabs open secretly in the background, even when your device is locked.
Malwarebytes warns: “When a user unlocks their device, Chrome opens with the latest site. A new tab with a new site is opened frequently, and as a result, unlocking your phone after several hours means closing multiple tabs. Users’ browser history will also have a long list of sites with Bad phishing.
What are these malicious apps?
There are four Bluetooth-related applications that have been found to contain HiddenAds malware. Which:
- – Bluetooth Auto Connect
- – Bluetooth App Sender
- – Driver: Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi
- – Mobile Transfer: smart switch
If you have any of them installed on your phone, you’d better delete them immediately. It is also useful to run any antivirus scanning software installed on your phone.
