Dozens of Android Apps Found Containing Spyware
Security researchers have revealed that many Android apps contained spyware, putting millions of user devices and sensitive data at serious risk.
Malicious Apps Masquerading as Popular Tools
These harmful apps pretended to be useful tools such as weather apps, file managers, and Islamic prayer trackers to lure users.
Some notable infected apps included WiFi Mouse, Al-Moazin Lite, and Speed Camera Radar, which gained millions of downloads.
How Spyware Collected User Data
These apps embedded third-party SDKs to secretly collect users’ location data, call logs, and contact lists—often without any clear consent.
According to TechRadar, many of these SDKs were developed by companies with government or intelligence ties.
Global Impact and Targeted Regions
Victims were primarily located in regions like the Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, including Germany, Mexico, and Canada.
Interestingly, some of the apps were still operating as recently as early 2024, despite user complaints and flagged behaviors.
Google Responds by Removing Infected Apps
Google swiftly removed dozens of these apps from the Play Store, banned involved developers, and issued warnings to affected users.
However, cybersecurity experts warn that many similar apps may still bypass detection by masking their spyware more cleverly.
How Users Can Protect Themselves Now
To protect your Android device, follow these tips:
- Enable Google Play Protect for automatic security scans and real-time threat detection.
- Avoid downloading apps with suspicious reviews or unknown developers, especially those asking for unnecessary permissions.
- Regularly update your device software and uninstall unused or suspicious apps.
- Stay informed through trusted sources like Kaspersky, The Hacker News, and Bleeping Computer.
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