Twenty-one mobile applications from a single publisher have been pulled from the Android Market after Google learned they were exploiting consumers according to a new Washington Post article. Google has also remotely removed these apps from user’s devices, but that does not remove any malicious code that has already been downloaded.
These applications were apparently not only stealing consumer’s information, they left a back door open on consumer’s phones so they could download malware without the user’s knowledge.
According to Mashable, between 50k and 200k Android users downloaded these applications, which Mashable says “are particularly insidious because they look just like knockoff versions of already popular apps. For example, there’s an app called simply “Chess.” The user would download what he’d assume to be a chess game, only to be presented with a very different sort of app.”
To learn more about malicious and unethical applications offered through various marketplaces, see my blogs:
- Scamming Users Part of Social Gaming Company Zynga’s business model
- 10 most popular apps that Facebook’s 500m users play or use to share common interests, have been selling user’s information to outside companies
Mobile malware is expected to explode in 2011, and it’s time to protect yourself with mobile security software. See my posts:
- McAfee Threat Predictions for 2011 – Mobile: Usage is rising in the workplace, and so will attacks
- It’s No Accident – Mobile Money and Mobile Malware Set to Go Big in 2011
The bottom line? Just because an app is offered doesn’t mean it’s been tested and guaranteed safe – case in point, if it weren’t for the diligence of the Android Police, the malicious apps on Android Marketplace would still be exploiting consumers.
Here’s a list of the malicious apps:
- Falling Down
- Super Guitar Solo
- Super History Eraser
- Photo Editor
- Super Ringtone Maker
- Super Sex Positions
- Hot Sexy Videos
- Chess
- 下坠滚球_Falldown
- Hilton Sex Sound
- Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
- Falling Ball Dodge
- Scientific Calculator
- Dice Roller
- 躲避弹球
- Advanced Currency Converter
- App Uninstaller
- 几何战机_PewPew
- Funny Paint
- Spider Man
- 蜘蛛侠
Linda
