Researchers from VPN Pro have discovered 24 dangerous apps in the Google Play Store that contain malware and rogue ware
From Huawei to Samsung, Androidsmartphones are some of the most popular handheld devices around the world.
But if you use an Android smartphone, a new report may make you reconsider which apps you have installed on your device.
In a blog about the findings, researcher Jan Youngren explained: “Our research has uncovered that they’re asking for a huge amount of dangerous permissions, potentially putting users’ private data at risk.
“These dangerous permissions include the ability to make calls, take pictures and record video, record audio, and much more.”
The apps are made by a Chinese company called Shenzhen HAWK, and have already been downloaded over 382 million times.
One of the most popular apps is called Weather Forecast, according to VPN Pro.
Mr Youngren added: “First, there’s the malware-infected Weather Forecast app that harvested millions of users’ data and sent that to a server in China.
“The app also subscribed users to premium phone numbers, leading to large charges on those users’ phone bills. To make matters worse, the app would launch hidden browser windows and click on ads from certain web pages.”
Having discovered the dangerous apps, VPN Pro reported the findings to Google, who has now deleted the apps from the Google Play Store.
Based on the findings, the researchers are urging Android users to be vigilant about the apps they download.
Mr Youngren added: “Users should seriously consider whether the perceived benefits will outweigh these serious negatives. In general, when selecting apps to use – and especially when giving them access to sensitive parts of your phone – users need to be very vigilant.
“Apps that seem innocent may actually be reading and changing your files, selling your data, or much worse. After all, at the end of the day, you are the last line of defense against malicious software.”
The 24 dangerous apps
HI VPN, Free VPN
Soccer Pinball
Dig It
Laser Break
Word Crush
Music Roam
Word Crossy
Puzzle Box
World Zoo
Private Browser
Calendar Lite
Turbo Browser
Joy Launcher
Virus Cleaner 2019
Super Cleaner
Hi Security 2019
Candy Selfie Camera
Super Battery
Candy Gallery
Hi VPN Pro
Net Master
Source: Mirror
