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Apps with 421M downloads … and hidden malware
Sorry, Android users. More bad news for you on the app front. (I know, it never ends.) Security researchers at Dr. Web found spyware in more than 100 popular apps. The most popular ones on the list have over 100 million downloads.
Are they on your phone?
Here are the most popular infected apps, along with total downloads. If you have one, delete it!
- Noizz – video editor with music (100 million).
- Zapya – File Transfer, Share (100 million).
- vFly – video editor & video maker (50 million).
- MVBit – MV video status maker (50 million).
- Biugo – video maker & video editor (50 million).
- Crazy Drop (10 million).
- Cashzine – Earn money reward (10 million).
- Fizzo Novel – Reading Offline (10 million).
- CashEM – Get Rewards (5 million).
- Tick – watch to earn (5 million).
That’s a list of the most popular apps that were caught hiding malware. The full list includes more than 100 bad apps. Click here to see the complete list.
Pro tip: If your phone is infected with malware, it’s worth doing a full factory reset. A royal pain in the rear, yes, but you really should.
How does this crap spread?
In this case, developers were fooled into using a software development kit that uses minigames and daily rewards to keep people opening their apps. The code seems legit, but it hides in the background collecting activity and sending it back to the software makers.
🤑 You can’t get something for nothing. Avoid those “open to win!” apps altogether. You’re better off at a Mongolian casino playing for a Yakpot.
Steps to remove apps from Android
If you have any malicious apps on your Android device, delete them ASAP. Here are steps to do it properly.
- Long-press an app, then tap App Info > Uninstall.
- Or go to Settings > Apps & Notifications to see a list of your apps and delete them the same way.
- You can also open the Google Play Store app and navigate to Menu > My apps & games. Tap on the app and hit Uninstall.
- Note: Samsung and OnePlus phones have an Uninstall option under the app shortcuts menu.
- If you can’t delete the app, you may see the option to Disable it. This will at least stop it from running on your phone.
Tags: Android, apps, disable, downloads, Dr. Web, factory reset, Google, Google Play Store, infected apps, malicious apps, malware, OnePlus, Samsung, security, security researchers, spyware, uninstall
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