Expert warns millions of Android users to check for more than 60 dangerous apps now – ignoring it could cost you
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MILLIONS of Android users have been urged to check their phones now for more than 60 dangerous apps.
Some of the apps in question have been downloaded more than 100million times according to .
The app makers themselves unknowingly added third-party library components to their software which are riddled with malware.
As such, some have been updated while others have been removed entirely from the Google Play Store.
The so-called "Goldoson" malware is capable of collecting lists of apps installed on your phone, as well as history of WiFi and Bluetooth devices information, including nearby GPS locations.
"The library is armed with the functionality to perform ad fraud by clicking advertisements in the background without the user’s consent," McAfee said.
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Although affected apps may have been removed from the Google Play Store, it doesn't protect you if you already have them installed on your device.
You'll need to delete them yourself.
The apps are largely aimed at people who live in South Korea so anyone in the UK or US should be safe - but it's still worth checking them.
The full list of affected apps that have been updated are:
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- L.POINT with L.PAY
- Money Manager Expense & Budget
- TMAP
- Lotte Cinema
- Genie Music
- Cultureland version 2
- GOM Player
- Megabox
- LIVE Score Real-Time score
- GOM Audio
- TV – All About Video
- Guninday
- LOTTE WORLD Magicpass
- Norae bang
- Korea Subway Info: Metroid
- Happy Mobile Happy Screen
- Girl singer WorldCup
- Cultureland Plus
- Lotteworld Seoul Sky
- Money Manager (Remove Ads)
- ECloud
- SCinema
- Ticket Office
- Lotteworld Aquarium
- Lotteworld Water Park
- T map for KT, LGU+
- Random number
- GOM Audio Plus – Music, Sync l
- Cinecube
The list of apps removed from the Google Play Store should be deleted.
They are:
- Swipe Brick Breaker
- Megabox
- Pikicast
- Compass 9: Smart Compass
- Item mania
- Bounce Brick Breaker
- InfiniteSlice Infinite Slice
- SomNote – Beautiful note app
- GoodTVBible
- UBhind: Mobile Tracker Manager
- Mafu Driving Free
- FSP Mobile
- Audio Recorder
- Catmera
- Simple Air
- Snake Ball Lover
- Play Geto
- Memory Memo
- PB Stream
- Inssaticon – Cute Emoticons
- T map for KT, LGU+
- AOG Loader
- Swipe Brick Breaker 2
- Safe Home
- Chuncheon
- Fantaholic
- TNT
- Bestcare Health
- InfinitySolitaire
- New Safe
- Cashnote
- TDI News
- Eyesting
- TingSearch
- Krieshachu Fantastic
- Yeonhagoogokka
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