Delete these 5 Popular Android Apps right away

Posted by Nikita on 5:39 AM

Android users should immediately check their phones to see if any of these malware-packed applications are installed on their devices.


These users are again facing a serious threat as hackers use a new technique that mimics popular applications in an attempt to trick users into installing them on their phones, thereby gaining access to personal information, including bank details and private messages.



The latest attack, uncovered by a Bitdefender team, shows that hackers are relying on new methods to try to gain access to the devices and all the personal data we store on them. The text messages and even the details of the bank accounts were sent directly to the criminals, without the victims even noticing that the attack had taken place. As the Google Play Store has become much more secure, cybercriminals are finding it increasingly difficult to bring malware into this hugely popular market.


Instead, they create fake apps outside of Google's official digital Play Store, promising users antivirus software, access to free TV services, and more.


Once the applications are downloaded and installed, they look like official application services and it is unlikely that the user will notice that something is wrong until it is too late.


Among the applications to look out for are:

  • Uplift: Health and Wellness App
  • BookReader
  • PlutoTV
  • Kaspersky: Free Antivirus
  • VLC MediaPlayer

Unlike Apple's iOS, Google allows owners of Android smartphones and tablets to approve downloads outside of their own app store. While this gives users more control over their own devices - it also makes the devices vulnerable.


Once deceived into installing them, users are then targeted by a new type of virus called Teabot that has the ability to transmit everything live on screen, directly to cyber fraudsters.


This means a personal SMS with a partner, checking the mobile banking application and, of course, the details of the card when shopping online can be seen and stolen. Bitdefender says it has identified a strange distribution method for a new rogue attack using a fake ad blocker that acts as a malware activator. The official versions of these applications, which are not affected by this malware, have been downloaded over 50 million times and it seems that hackers are using the great popularity of these applications in an attempt to go unnoticed. If you think you have any of the fake apps listed above on your phone, you should delete them immediately.