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The Android store, Google Play, has an unbelievable amount of apps of unimaginable use and destination, from different clock alarms and to high-tech programs in a mini-version that tries to keep up with the original one as well as it can. But the abuse of some apps can lead to installing some of them that are not verified or have virus issues. This is the case regarding the latest days in Google App Store: the hidden code in some apps transformed them in malware and as a consequence, millions of smart gadgets got infected. Google have sent them straight to the local hospital, by blocking all the detected apps that have caused the chaos.
Avast is one of the companies that has made public statements about the case. The specialists said that one of the apps that turned everything upside down is a free version of Durak, a card game that has a lot of fans in the tech world. The game has been downloaded 10 million times, Google Play’s counter shows. Even though Google has blocked the access to it, the phones that got the virus are now sick and dying.
However, the way how Avast found out about the virus is curious. Someone who made an investigation regarding the new Nexus 5 and how it got infected with the dangerous code, has asked Avast a number of questions that lead to the evident conclusion. The malware acted violently, through pop-up messages that stole the look of system notifications. The messages were advising the user of the phone to install a new software, because the system was running very slow. Downloading some apps could solve the problem, so the client was directed to those certain ones. Avast’s malware analyst Filip Chytry said that
“You get re-directed to harmful threats on fake pages, like dubious app stores and apps that attempt to send premium SMS behind your back or to apps that simply collect too much of your data for comfort while offering you no additional value.”
The creators of the apps has a smart and obscure technique: the pop-up messages were planned to appear after seven or more days after the installation of the app. Obviously, most of the people would never understand what the problem is and would go on with the indicated procedures.
“I believe that most people will trust that there is a problem that can be solved with one of the app’s advertised ‘solutions’ and will follow the recommended steps, which may lead to an investment into unwanted apps from untrusted sources.”
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