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Security experts have issued a security warning after a recent malware attack on numerous well-known Android apps and asked users to "check their phones immediately."

According to reports, the malware can operate on phones without the owner's permission and is currently mostly based in South Korea.

According to McAfee Mobile Security team spokespeople, if an 'infected app' is loaded, fraudsters may be able to view the Bluetooth devices that are paired with the smartphone, view Wi-Fi history, and, most terrifyingly, view nearby GPS locations.

Along with the nefarious possibilities mentioned above, the malware also engages in "ad fraud," in which background advertisements are clicked on without the user's knowledge to earn money. Users may eventually notice this because it results in a data overload that could significantly slow down your device. The hackers can also make money this way.

Due to worries that contaminated apps have been downloaded millions of times, consumers are being urged to check their smartphones for them. According to a McAfee representative, the research team discovered more than 60 programs with more than 100 million downloads that contain this third-party harmful library.

After being notified by McAfee's research team, Google's developers are already warning developers to fix their apps or risk having them removed from the app store. While some developers responded almost immediately, more than 30 of them have been blocked because they were found to contain malicious software.

SangRyol Ryu of McAfees said, "We submitted the detected apps to Google, who took swift action.
As reported, Google has advised the developers that their apps need to be revised to comply with Google Play regulations. While some apps were taken off Google Play, the official developers updated others.

Although, as previously mentioned, the bug has primarily affected users in South Korea and there have been no reports of UK users being affected, it serves as a reminder to all Android users to exercise caution when downloading new apps for their devices.

Always read the reviews, make sure the developer is trustworthy, and consider tapping the delete button if you notice a change in your phone's behavior following an installation.
As this software frequently does not undergo the same rigorous tests done by Google's Play Store, it is important to make sure that any programs provided by third parties are well-screened beforehand.

Notable Blocked Apps


The Google Play Store has withdrawn a number of applications, including InfinitySolitaire, Snake Ball Lover, Swipe Brick Breaker 2, UBhind: Mobile Tracker Manager, Bounce Brick Breaker, Infinite Slice, Compass 9: Smart Compass, and more. They have been updated by the creators of programs like Money Manager Expense & Budget, GOM Player, Korea Subway Info: Metroid, Money Manager, and others.