[Heads-up] Apps need to remove from your phone containing harmful adware

[maxreish]

Here are some of the list of the apps that have been found to contain harmful adware

• Flash On Calls & Messages
• Read QR Code
• Imagine Magic
• Generate Elves
• Savexpense
• QR Artifact
• Find Your Phone : Whistle
• Scavenger - - - speed guard
• Auto Cut Out Pro
• Background Cut Out
• Photo Background
• ImageProcessing
• Background Cut Out New
• Auto Cut Out
• Auto Cut Out 2019

Other apps mentioned above were noted to change their app icon picture to make them appear to be harmless and essential apps. Some of the names used were said to be “Google Play Store”, “Update”, “Back Up” and “Time Zone Service”.

If you have any of these apps then it is best to remove/uninstall them immediately from your android phone before it's too late.

Source:

Code:

https://www-express-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1189483/Android-warning-users-urged-to-delete-Google-Play-Store-apps/amp?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.express.co.uk%2Flife-style%2Fscience-technology%2F1189483%2FAndroid-warning-users-urged-to-delete-Google-Play-Store-apps

[Docnaster]

Good to know but why are you posting it here? Is this an android / cell phone usage training platform? No right?
Anyone that gets into cryptos, is expected to know about the basics of securing their devices and data. Otherwise they're hopeless.

[mk4]

As far as I know this small list was already posted like a month ago.

Anyway, in summary, don't randomly install apps that's on the Google PlayStore. Google isn't very strict into gatekeeping the apps that are being allowed on the PlayStore hence a good number of harmful apps are getting through.

Anyone that gets into cryptos, is expected to know about the basics of securing their devices and data. Otherwise they're hopeless.

That's unfortunately not the case.

[ivakar]

the best way to be safe, just do not install anything to your phone
i used app installed by manufacturer only and whatsapp messenger.
even so, there is no warranties, then virus or any other malware could come though system update directly from manufacturer..

[MFahad]

Another precaution is not to install any app from unknown sources as there are more chances that they contain the trojans and malwares. Also always check if google play protect service is enable in your android device.

To check the status of Play Protect on your device, open the Play Store and tap Menu > Play Protect. Then check the status of Recently scanned apps and toggle the Improve harmful app detection option to send unknown apps to Google for further review, if you like.

P.S You can move this to off topic section.

[jossiel]

I've checked my android phone and looked if it contains these apps on the list and good to see that I don't have those apps.

the best way to be safe, just do not install anything to your phone
i used app installed by manufacturer only and whatsapp messenger.
even so, there is no warranties, then virus or any other malware could come though system update directly from manufacturer..

It's okay to install apps as long as you know them and you know the developers. Don't install everything you see on apple app store or google play.

[finzyoj]

According to what I have noticed, most infected apps are the ones which are photo editors. Good for me I only stick to Photoshop and Paint . Those are very old in the industry so you can assure that they're are not hiding anything from us. Here's my tip, if you just want to put simple effects on your picture or only want few adjustments (cropping in most cases) then downloading apps is not necessary any longer because most of smartphone's gallery already got a extra features like this.

[Pmalek]

Why would someone need an app to generate elves
Google Play Store will not keep your phone safe and relying on it to do so will eventually cost you. Don't download and install stuff just because you are bored and want to try it out. Everything you do can have serious repercussions on your security and would you really want put that in jeopardy because an app who generates elves or unicorns?!

[yazher]

Thankfully, I don't have those apps installed on my phone. The only Apps that I installed on my phone is my exchanges mobile wallets block folio and my master card's apps. I don't really trust those mobile apps because there wasn't a single anti-virus that I know that can detect that malicious malware in smartphones. The scary part about downloading those strange apps is the risk of downloading an app that hides mining apps on your phone. there are many cases of this, they make a mining app in a trending app cloth. 

[peter0425]

Thankfully, I don't have those apps installed on my phone. The only Apps that I installed on my phone is my exchanges mobile wallets block folio and my master card's apps. I don't really trust those mobile apps because there wasn't a single anti-virus that I know that can detect that malicious malware in smartphones. The scary part about downloading those strange apps is the risk of downloading an app that hides mining apps on your phone. there are many cases of this, they make a mining app in a trending app cloth. 

I don’t know why people nowadays are installing apps they don’t really know the functions and just a random applications that Pop ups and they installed right away

Just like you mate my important apps are installed in one mobile and those I’m not so sure being safe are installed in my spare Gadget that has no connection in my personal files and my crypto files as well,in this way I separated my personal things.crypto things and trash apps

[Coin_trader]

Good to know but why are you posting it here? Is this an android / cell phone usage training platform? No right?
Anyone that gets into cryptos, is expected to know about the basics of securing their devices and data. Otherwise they're hopeless.

Because of this malware/adware is sometimes the cause of the loss of some crypto user. Especially the virus that replaces wallet address that you copy into the hacker's wallet address. This always happened on the desktop but it's possible to occur too in the mobile version. So it's actually right to post this kind of stuff in the Beginners & Help section to warn all newbie here. As the title of this section itself, Not all people that entering crypto is an expert regarding this matter. Because if everyone that gets in crypto is expected to know the basics then what is the essence of having this "Beginner & Help" section in this forum. 

[Strongkored]

I checked my phone, and luckily there was no such app on my phone.

I do not really like to download applications that I do not really understand its function.

I don’t know why people nowadays are installing apps they don’t really know the functions and just a random applications that Pop ups and they installed right away

Just like you mate my important apps are installed in one mobile and those I’m not so sure being safe are installed in my spare Gadget that has no connection in my personal files and my crypto files as well,in this way I separated my personal things.crypto things and trash apps

What is important to us is not necessarily important to them, it may be that these applications are needed for their work.

It's important to only download apps from trusted developers.

[mk4]

the best way to be safe, just do not install anything to your phone
i used app installed by manufacturer only and whatsapp messenger.
even so, there is no warranties, then virus or any other malware could come though system update directly from manufacturer..

While this is definitely safer, it limits you too much though. Apps that a lot of people use in the daily- PayPal, banking apps, password manager apps, 2FA apps, etc. This strategy is pretty much like buying a car and only using it to drive around your neighborhood just to be safe.

[Yaunfitda]

According to what I have noticed, most infected apps are the ones which are photo editors. Good for me I only stick to Photoshop and Paint . Those are very old in the industry so you can assure that they're are not hiding anything from us. Here's my tip, if you just want to put simple effects on your picture or only want few adjustments (cropping in most cases) then downloading apps is not necessary any longer because most of smartphone's gallery already got a extra features like this.

Not just photo editors, there have been apps that supposedly protect your phone, but behind it contains a trojan or malware looking to stole every bit of information in your phone.

And just because it is in Google Store or something means it's safe, Google can't even catch up with so many apps being developed everyday and putting put in their store. That's why the best way to combat this is not to install anything that you are not familiar with.

[Ucy]

Interesting one.
I wonder what the apps listed above are trying to do in the victims Mobile devices.

I tend to uninstal or disable  any "find your phone" app whenever I find it in my phone. I find them pre-installed before I purchased them. I doubt if most of them are safe.

Other apps mentioned above were noted to change their app icon picture to make them appear to be harmless and essential apps. Some of the names used were said to be “Google Play Store”, “Update”, “Back Up” and “Time Zone Service”

This is really unfortunate. Many people who download those apps musr have fallen victim to this. I wonder if there are good mobile anti-virus that can detect this changes.