Be very careful with the applications you install on your mobile: if you have any of these three, you should delete them as soon as possible.
The Google Play Store not only includes 100% secure applications
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With more than twenty million installations in all, the new malware campaign discovered in Google Play Store It is one of the most widespread that has been seen in recent months. The worst of all is that it only took three infected apps to reach such a large number of users.
Dr. Web’s cybersecurity experts have been in charge of bringing to light the threat, hidden in applications that promised financial rewards to users in exchange for performing different actions. In reality, such rewards were practically impossible to obtain, but the creators of the apps did obtain benefits by flood the devices of its “victims” with advertisements and advertisements all types.
The apps continue to be available on Google Play
The researchers’ report indicates that the three applications, still available for download on Google Play, use a similar technique. Once downloaded, users were offered different types of rewards in exchange for staying active during the day, either reaching a number of steps or a specific walking distance.
However, once users had managed to accumulate a significant amount of rewardsthe application forced view dozens of ads in order to get them. But even by doing so it was not possible to get the prizes.
Furthermore, the researchers suggest that the apps were recently updated to remove the option to redeem rewards for gift cards for online stores, a function that was present at its inception.
Despite the inability of users to obtain the rewards, Currently, the three applications already accumulate more than twenty million installations in totalbeing “Lucky Step – Walking Tracker” the most downloaded, with more than ten million of downloads.
the apps WalkingJoy and Lucky Habit: Health Tracker accumulate five million installs each, and they all use the same technique of adware to generate income at the expense of the users. This technique consists of display full screen ads difficult to close, and even taking control of the screen even when other applications are running.
Since the apps continue to be present in the Play Store catalog, it is very important avoid downloading both these and other similar apps that ensure rewards in exchange for apparently useful tasks. Likewise, those who have any of the three applications installed on their devices should get rid of them ASAP.
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