Google takes down 3 apps because of ‘Joker Malware’

Another batch of popular Android apps has been banned by Google because of a hidden trojan called Joker malware.

Image | Kaspersky

Google just removed three popular apps from its Google Play Store recently. Based on the Mountain View firm, they’ve detected three apps installing the infamous Joker malware so they’ve decided to purge their online marketplace. As reported through express.co.uk, this malware can steal money by letting Android users secretly sign them up for pricey subscription services which are worth hundreds of pounds per year.

The three Android apps which have an injected Joker malware are Style Message, Blood Pressure App and Camera PDF Scanner.

Based on an online post of Igor Golovin, an expert from SECURELIST by Kaspersky:

“Trojans from the Trojan.AndroidOS.Jocker family can intercept codes sent in text messages and bypass anti-fraud solutions. They’re usually spread on Google Play, where scammers download legitimate apps from the store, add malicious code to them and re-upload them to the store under a different name. The trojanized apps fulfill their original purposes in most cases, and the user won’t suspect they are a source of threats.”

“To bypass vetting on Google Play, the Trojan monitors whether it’s gone live. The malicious payload will remain dormant while the app is stalled at the vetting stage.”

Even though already been taken down, if the user still has the apps installed on their device, it can still wreak havoc so don’t waste any time and uninstall it now.

Remember folks that when downloading from Play Store or any other online app store, make sure to check their details such as reviews and the information of the developer to check if it’s made by a well-known name or a reputable one.