Remember the good old days where SMS is the most used communication method between friends and families? Yeah, we do. But the bad times are probably more memorable where scam SMS tricks you into subscribing blank or unrelated content in order to earn your money legally. Since last year, a similar, modern malware does similar things but in the context of clicking surfaced and disguised paid content as legitimate applications or games on Google Play Store.
This malware that “clicks” your screen without you knowing is known as “Joker”, particularly the newer variants. It hides by using code obfuscation and delaying payload arrival times in order to trick users and researchers into thinking the app does what it does, without raising suspicion.
Once application such as “Kids Colouring”, “Compass”, “QR Code” gets installed alongside the payload, the malware could take control of the device and click whatever it wants to, including phishing advertisement, subscription services, or even exfiltrate sensitive data where workforce and personal data related environments takes the hardest hit.
Users are strongly advised to remove the apps listed down below to remove the risk of getting infected with the malware.
- Kids Colouring
- Compass
- QR code
- Fruits colouring book
- Soccer colouring book
- Fruit jump tower
- Ball number shooter
- Inongdan
Security is like a game of chess, but an endless loop
A few months ago, Google has announced that it has killed off around 29 apps from the Google Play Store as a result of malicious malware that displays ads that do not comply with Google’s terms. But with how many apps get uploaded to the platform versus the speed of malicious ones get taken down, it is certain that Google could not follow up thus many of them are still out in the wild, harming users worldwide.
But if Google Play Store is not safe for downloading apps, as mentioned by some critics, then what about 3rd party app markets? Are their security protocol even on par with Google?
What precautions will they take? For now, it is unsure how this issue can be dealt with completely, users must be vigilant when downloading apps and make sure they came from verified and legitimate publishers and developers.
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