‘Joker’ Trojan Virus Could Be Back On Google Play Store—Do You Have These Apps?
Image via Proxima Studio / Shutterstock.com
The Belgian Police has sounded the alarm on the re-emergence of the ‘Joker’ virus, which attacks Android devices after hiding in applications on the Google Play Store.
After infiltrating the phone, the malware subscribes the user to payment services without permission, and empties bank accounts without anyone noticing.
In a statement published by the Belgian Police, the authorities said: “This malicious program has been detected in eight Play Store applications that Google has suppressed.”
The ‘Joker’ virus had first caught the attention of the tech world back in 2017, when it robbed “infected” victims after hiding in several applications.
Since then, Entrepreneur reported that nearly 1,700 apps containing the malware were removed from the Google Play Store before being downloaded by users.
This malware belongs to a group known as Bread, whose objective is to hack mobile carrier bills and authorize permissions for operations on the device without the user’s consent.
Researchers from Quick Heal Security Lab, a cybersecurity firm, said the ‘Joker’ can enter text messages, access contacts, and other information on an infected smartphone.
This results in some users being charged for paid services even though they’ve opted out, receiving fraudulent text messages, and being attacked while making online payments.
In a word of caution, the Belgian Police urged Android users to check their phone, lest they “risk a big surprise at the end of the month in your bank account or on your credit card.”
In this instance, Google Play Store removed eight apps suspected of carrying the virus, though, as reported by La Razón, there are also another 16 other apps that could be at risk.
Could your device be at risk of catching the ‘Joker’ virus? Check out the full list below:
1. Auxiliary Message
2. Element Scanner
3. Fast Magic SMS
4. Free CamScanner
5. Go Messages
6. Super Message
7. Super SMS
8. Travel Wallpapers
9. Private SMS
10. Hummingbird PDF Converter - Photo to PDF
11. Style Photo Collage
12. Talent Photo Editor - Blur focus
13. Paper Doc Scanner
14. All Good PDF Scanner
15. Care Message
16. Part Message
17. Blue Scanner
18. Direct Messenger
19. One Sentence Translator - Multifunctional Translator
20. Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message
21. Unique Keyboard - Fancy Fonts & Free Emoticons
22. Tangram App Lock
23. Desire Translate
24. Meticulous Scanner
[via Entrepreneur, cover image via Proxima Studio / Shutterstock.com]
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