Google bans 25 more apps from Play Store concerning the security of Android devices

Concerning the security of user data of the users accessing multiple apps on Android devices, Google has finally decided to ban 25 more apps. Google was astonished when it found that these malware encoded apps were stealing Facebook login details of the users, so decided to remove them from Play Store immediately. These apps are loaded with malware which can store a record of the Facebook login details of the users even when they are not using them on their smartphones. This security breach was discovered by a French cyber-security company named “Evina”, which found that the malicious codes are working to steal your personal information from the apps.

According to the latest report, these apps are particularly targeting Facebook users as the social media platform is quite vulnerable to cyber-attacks because of holding a host of user data. The French tech

giant also mentioned that these apps were clogging the devices, and the apps should be immediately deleted in order to prevent data theft. Once these malicious apps are installed into the phones, the hidden codes in the apps get automatically activated and start stealing user data without being noticed by the user. Here is the list of those 25 malicious apps that are banned by Google Play Store –

• Super Wallpapers Flashlight

• Color Wallpapers

• Super Bright Flashlight

• Synthetic Z

• File Manager

• Accurate scanning of QR code

• classic card game

• Junk file cleaning

• Composite Z

• Padenatef

• Wallpaper Level

• Contour Level wallpaper

• iPlayer & iwallpaper

• Video Maker

• Pedometer

• Powerful Flashlight

• Super Flashlight

• Solitare Game

• Screenshot Capture

• Daily Horoscope Wallpapers

• Wuxia Reader

• Plus Weather

• Anime Live Wallpaper

• Health Step Counter

According to Google, they have decided to take this action once after confirming and verifying the French security firm’s findings. However, it may be good news for the users but it appears that some of the above-mentioned applications had actually been available to download for over a year and had entertained some 2.3million user installs. Moreover, in terms of security, these apps are found to be quite dangerous and have been downloaded millions of times across the globe.

How are these apps stealing user information?

Once after installation, these apps start stealing user data as the malicious code waits for the user to launch or login to Facebook, and then only it starts stealing user data secretly. These apps are designed in such a way that it can efficiently mimic Facebook’s login page by overlaying a web browser window in the top of the official Facebook app, in other words, it can be called as phishing scams. While accessing the app when users types in their username and passwords, the information is automatically forwarded to the hackers, rather than Facebook which is the official process of the social media platform. Now, once after forwarding your personal information to the hackers, you may not be able to protect your account which is the reason why it is important to protect your social media account. The malware is so effective that even Facebook is not able to identify it as the malware displays in front of the authorized app when it is launched by a user.

Why delete these apps immediately?

After being discovered by the French security firm, Google decided to remove the apps as the warnings are proved to be valid. According to the latest report from the French security firm, users are advised to delete these apps from their phones if they have installed them before Google’s official clear out. The apps should be immediately removed because Google cannot remove the apps from user devices, even if the apps are removed from the Play Store. However, in order to prevent theft of your personal data, it is important that you change your Facebook passwords very frequently.

The security firms have confirmed that after the security being caught Google Play Store is now more secure as these apps are removed at the earliest. However, we still need to be more cautious while installing and using these apps despite Google’s stringent security process for approving the apps.