Five malware-laden apps discovered on Google Play: Delete now for safety

Although most applications on Google Play are safe, Android users cannot always feel completely protected. Recently, five applications were discovered to contain malware. It is recommended that you immediately remove them from your phone.

The Google Play Store offers a vast selection of Android applications that can be very useful for users. Unfortunately, occasionally, information emerges about applications that pose a security threat. This time, as many as five such applications have been identified.

Five dangerous applications have been found on Google Play:

• CryptoPulsing
• AirFS
• Astro Explorer
• Amber
• Brain Matrix

These applications have been downloaded over 32,000 times, with the most downloads (30,305) pertaining to AirFS. The malware was available in many countries, but most downloads came from Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Peru, and the United Kingdom.

"In April 2024, we discovered a sample that appeared to be a new version of Mandrake. Further analysis revealed five Mandrake applications available on Google Play from 2022 to 2024, with over 32,000 installations, which other providers had not detected."

Mandrake is advanced spyware first described by Bitdefender in 2020. The malware has resurfaced, and these applications made their way to Google Play in the first half of 2022, although the threat has only recently been detected. These applications were systematically updated—for example, the last update for AirFS took place on 15 March 2024.

Mandrake employs advanced techniques to bypass Android security. It can intercept user data, record the screen, or install additional applications without the user's knowledge and consent. If your phone has any of the mentioned applications, you should remove them.

Installing applications on your phone requires caution for several reasons:

1. Personal data security: Some applications may collect and use your data without your knowledge, which can lead to identity theft or other privacy breaches.
2. Malware: Installing applications from unknown sources can expose your phone to malware that can damage the system, steal data, or track your activity.
3. Privacy: Some applications may require access to phone features such as location, camera, or microphone, which can lead to privacy violations.
4. Device performance: Inappropriate applications can burden the phone's processor, memory, and battery, affecting its performance and lifespan.
5. Hidden costs: Some applications may contain hidden costs, such as subscriptions or microtransactions, which can lead to unexpected expenses.

Therefore, it is important to download applications only from trusted sources, read user reviews, and check the permissions that applications request before installing them.