The Google Play Store is often riddled with malware even though the platform is continuously monitored. However, hackers have come up with different ways to bypass Google’s security gates for malicious apps on the Google Play Store.
Now, a shocking new revelation has been made that as many as nine Android apps have been discovered that steal Facebook users’ logins and passwords. These apps have been installed more than 5,856,010 times from the Google Play Store, according to Doctor Web. So, the important question here is – is your smartphone infected with these malicious Android apps?
How hackers got control of your Facebook account
Doctor Web’s malware analysts actually found 10 of these trojan apps, and out of these nine were available on the Google Play Store. These Android apps are trojans and were spread as harmless software.
To get access to all of the apps’ functions, and also to disable in-app ads, users were asked to log onto their Facebook accounts. Users were shown the standard Facebook login page which made it seem genuine. Hackers then managed to access users’ Facebook credentials, and even cookies which were sent to cybercriminals.
Doctor Web reported these apps to Google and some of them have been removed but some are still available to download on the Play Store. If you’re an Android user, you might want to check if you have any of these apps on your phone.
The nine malicious malware on Android apps that you must delete:
Processing Photo, PIP Photo
Processing Photo is a photo-editing software app that is offered by developer chikumburahamilton. The app has been installed over 500,000 times. It has been detected as Android.PWS.Facebook.13. Another photo editing app called PIP Photo by developer Lillians was also discovered by Dr Web. This app has various versions which have amassed over 5,000,000 downloads.
App Keep Lock, App Lock Manager, Lockit Master
This malware was disguised as an app that aims to keep your apps locked so others cannot access it. App Keep Lock, App Lock Manager and Lockit Master were downloaded 50,000, 10,000 and 5,000 times, respectively. All three apps were also detected as Android.PWS.Facebook.13.
Horoscope Daily, Horoscope Pi
Astrology apps Horoscope Daily and Horoscope Pi were also detected as Android.PWS.Facebook.13. Horoscope Daily by developer HscopeDaily momo was downloaded more than 100,000 times while Horoscope Pi had more than 1,000 installs.
Inwell Fitness
Inwell Fitness is a fitness program app offered by developer Reuben Germaine. It has been downloaded more than 100,000 times.
Rubbish Cleaner
According to Doctor Web, Rubbish Cleaner is ‘a utility to optimise the Android device performance’ from the developer SNT.rbcl. It was downloaded over 100,000 times and was detected as Android.PWS.Facebook.13. – Hindustan Times (New Delhi)/Tribune News Service
