Google has removed 29 malicious apps with over 10 million downloads from the Play Store after Quick Heal Security Labs reported the apps were to Google.
According to the Indian Antivirus and security company, one of the malicious apps from a set named 'Multiapp multiple accounts simultaneously' has over 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store.
Out of the 29 malicious apps, 24 are from a category called 'HiddAd'. This category of apps hides the apps icon after launch and then create a shortcut on the home screen of the Android phone. Quick Heal Labs explained that the reason for it is to prevent users from uninstalling it by just dragging the icon.
"The remaining 5 apps are of 'Adware' category and would generally get into your Android phones through advertisements. Users see many advertisement every time they visit social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, etc, which promote different mobile applications.
"Many a times, these promoted mobile applications boast about a lot of unbelievable functionalities like X-Ray scanning. We came across few advertisements of some interesting Android apps which claim to offer functionality of X-Ray scanning. When we explored the app further, we found out that two such apps have crossed 1 million+ downloads already," Quick Heal Security Labs said in a statement.
The security company explained the adware apps pretend to offer a functionality of magnifying the view whilst in reality, they display heavy ads on user's phone, which in turn drain heavy battery power and as well consumes much data.
"Right after the launch, these applications open camera and show various options like flash light, gallery, etc But when user chooses an option, these apps start full screen ads, with no option to close or skip," Quick Heal Security Labs added.
Click here to view the list of the infected apps.