Tips

Get Rid of These 7 Android Apps Now if You Don’t Want to Waste Your Money

Renowned security expert Tatyana Shishkova from Kaspersky has issued a stark warning about malicious Joker-infected apps infiltrating Google's Play Store.

Administrator

9 September, 2024

According to Tatyana Shishkova, Joker malware is a type of Trojan horse – a malicious code or software that disguises itself as legitimate software to gain users’ trust. Once the application is installed, the Joker malware can infiltrate a user’s phone and automatically subscribe them to premium services that silently deduct money from their accounts.

Shishkova identified seven Joker-infected apps on the Play Store. These apps have now been removed from Google’s app store; however, a large number of users had already inadvertently downloaded and installed them.

The seven apps containing the Joker malware are as follows:

– Now QRcode Scan (over 10,000 downloads)

– EmojiOne Keyboard (over 50,000 downloads)

– Battery Charging Animations Battery Wallpaper (over 1,000 downloads)

– Dazzling Keyboard (over 10 downloads)

– Volume Booster Louder Sound Equalizer (over 100 downloads)

– Super Hero-Effect (over 5,000 downloads)

– Classic Emoji Keyboard (over 5,000 downloads)

One of the Joker-infected apps on the Play Store (Image: PhoneArena).

Kaspersky security experts warn that Android users should immediately check their smartphones for these malicious apps.

Recently, security companies have continuously discovered numerous malicious applications and software on the Android platform. Previously, cybersecurity firm Avast issued a warning about a scam campaign called UltimaSMS. This campaign involved 151 fraudulent apps targeting Android smartphones. These apps masqueraded as photo editors, camera filters, QR code scanners, and games to deceive users and would automatically subscribe them to costly SMS services upon installation.

According to VTV.vn

Frequently asked questions

Some apps can waste your money and affect your device’s performance and security. For example, some cleaning apps promise to improve your phone’s speed and battery life but often deliver minimal benefits that aren’t worth the cost. Similarly, some antivirus apps may not offer any additional protection and could potentially harm your device.

Here’s a list of 7 types of Android apps that you may want to uninstall:

1. Cleaning Apps: These often provide negligible performance boosts that don’t justify their cost and may even contain malware.
2. Antivirus Apps: Many of these provide a false sense of security and can be unnecessary if you follow basic security practices.
3. Battery Saver Apps: Most of these apps don’t provide any significant power-saving features that aren’t already built into your device.
4. Flashlight Apps: Some flashlight apps have been known to request an excessive number of permissions and contain intrusive ads.
5. Duplicate Apps: Having multiple apps that serve the same purpose can waste storage space and slow down your device.
6. Live Wallpaper Apps: These can drain your battery life and may also contain malware or excessive ads.
7. Apps With Intrusive Ads: Some apps display intrusive and disruptive ads that can affect your device’s performance and security.

Instead of relying on third-party apps, follow these tips:

– Keep your device updated: Regular software updates often include performance improvements and security patches.
– Manage your apps: Review and uninstall any unnecessary or suspicious apps, and be cautious when granting permissions.
– Utilize built-in features: Many Android devices have built-in tools for optimizing battery life, managing storage, and improving performance.
– Practice safe browsing: Be cautious when downloading apps, avoid unknown sources, and regularly review app permissions to ensure your data privacy.