Google has banned 5 malicious apps following an alarming discovery that continues to surprise people in the United Kingdom. These apps had remained hidden on Google Play for a significant period.
Android users have been vulnerable to malicious actors through Google Play, where certain dangerous applications can go undetected for long. This is not the first time Google has removed apps from its repository.
What Can These 5 Malicious Apps Do?
The 5 apps recently banned by Google were all well-known, and each contained the Mandrake spyware. According to reports, these apps had been downloaded approximately 32,000 times before they were finally removed from Google’s Play Store.
The Mandrake malware was exposed in 2020 by Kaspersky Labs, a Russian company that offers antivirus services. This exposure likely prompted malicious actors to make the tool harder to detect.
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This spyware can record the screen, imitate tapping and swiping, and download apps without the knowledge of the device’s owner. This makes it useful for stealing passwords and carrying out other activities that can affect the finances or public image of any victim.
One of the shocking revelations was that this new version of the Mandrake malware had been on Google Play for over a year.
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The 5 Malicious Apps Google Banned
The following five apps were banned by Google due to being infected with the new version of the famous Mandrake spyware:
- AirFS
- Astro Explorer
- Amber
- Brain Matrix
- CryptoPulsing
Avoiding all software developed by their producers is likely to be beneficial. The following are the names of these software developers:
- it9042
- Shevabad
- Kodaslda
What Google Is Doing To Make Play Store Safer
Google is taking several steps to improve the safety of the Play Store for Android users. The company is currently preparing to implement a new policy to enhance the quality of apps available on Google Play. Additionally, Google has announced that Play Protect can help keep users safe from identified variants of the Mandrake malware.
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