According to Trend Micro research, Android users have downloaded fake apps that slow down their devices and drain their batteries millions of times.
Researchers from the cybersecurity firm found 85 different photography and gaming apps filled with adware in the Google Play store. These scam apps have been downloaded more than eight million times on users' smartphones and tablets.
Ecular Xu, Mobile Threat Researcher at Trend Micro, explained how apps avoid detection by users, stating:
"We found another example of the potential impact of adware on Google Play. Trend Micro detects it under the name AndroidOS_Hidenad.HRXH. This is not your ordinary adware family: in addition to displaying ads that are difficult to close, it uses unique techniques to escape detection through user behavior and time triggers."
Advertising apps
One of the techniques used by the adware apps discovered by Trend Micro to avoid detection was to create a shortcut for the app on the device's home screen 30 minutes later. Your installation. This allowed apps to become more visible while discouraging Android users from uninstalling them.
Once launched, the apps worked the same way as the photography or gaming apps they were trying to supplant. However, they have also run long full-screen ads that are impossible to close.
Google has since removed the fake apps from the Play Store after Trend Micro informed the company of its findings. Although the apps are no longer available on the Play Store, users who have already downloaded one of the fake apps will have to manually delete it to completely remove it from their devices.
Trend Micro has released a whole list of fake apps but some of the most popular ones were Super Selfie, Cos Camera, Pop Camera and Line Puzzle.
Through the independent