Google has recently banned 36 malicious Android apps from the Google Play Store that were capable of performing harmful functions without the user’s consent. The apps were discovered by McAfee, who found a software library called Goldoson that could collect information from the user’s phone, such as lists of installed applications, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth device information, and GPS locations. Moreover, the library could also perform ad fraud by clicking on ads in the background without the user’s knowledge.

malicious android apps
Image: GETTY

McAfee discovered more than 60 apps with this malicious library, which had been downloaded more than 100 million times in the Google Play Store alone. Following this discovery, Google took action and removed 36 apps from the Play Store while the remaining apps were updated by their developers. You can check the list of all the banned apps here.

Users are advised to update their apps to the latest version or remove them if they have been identified as a threat to Android phone users. In addition, users should take precautions before downloading any app from the Play Store or any other third-party service. It is recommended to check the name of the developer, the number of downloads, the comments section, how many known apps the developer has created, and the preview section of the app to ensure the images are genuine and not fake.

This incident serves as a reminder for both users and developers to be vigilant and proactive in preventing malicious apps from entering the market. As such, users are encouraged to keep their phones updated with the latest security patches and to use anti-malware software. Developers, on the other hand, are urged to follow best practices for app development and security, such as using secure coding practices, scanning their apps for vulnerabilities, and thoroughly testing their apps before release.

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