Avast, developers of anti-malware and virus software for PCs and tablets, have helped find previously undiscovered Adware hidden inside a number of apps, some of which were available on Google Play.
A thread on the Avast forum initially bought the existence of the adware to light, when user andrei.mankevich made a post claiming to have found a dozen infected apps, along with a detailed description of how the malicious apps behaved. The post only names three of the apps, IQTest, Durak (from developer Pocket Games Ltd) and Russian History, all of which have already been removed from Google Play.
The nature of the effected apps isn’t immediately apparent, with the malicious code laying dormant for seven days or more on infected devices, in an attempt to hide the source of the problem. Once the adware activates it will show you an advert whenever the device is unlocked. You can see a video of it in action at the bottom of this post.
Filip Chytry, Mobile Malware Analyst & Operator at Avast, wrote a post on the company’s blog looking into the products the adware advertised. Amongst them were ineffective antiviruses, data harvesting apps which provided little value, as well as apps that SMS premium numbers behind your back.
Avast have offered their thanks to andrei.mankevich and will be addressing the malicious program in their next mobile update..
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