Google removes 4 apps from Play Store with Joker malware, check if any of them are installed

All Android apps must pass increasingly stringent security checks before being made available for download.

However, sometimes these malicious apps manage to escape these security checks to show up on the Google Play Store, where many users download them thinking they are useful. And surprisingly too accumulate a large number of downloads.

On the occasion of Amazon Prime Day 2022, we are also warning users to avoid some of the scams that will be circulated in search of victims via email. And Prime Day is an opportunity where potential victims can forgo the “too good to be true” rule by falling into the trap of scammers.

At the same time, apparently, even large companies are not spared from hacking or violating the privacy of their users. These are the 4 apps that Google has removed from their store and you should check if you have them on your smartphone:

• Smart SMS messages (Smart SMS messages).
• Pressure meter.
• Voice Languages ​​Translator.
• Quick text SMS (quick text messages).

While it is known that this has affected for over 100,000 users.

We leave you an image that shows, thanks to the Pradeo website, these four applications and thus verifies it.

How does the Joker virus work?

This malware with the curious name Joker appeared for a very logical reason: malware hides behind a mask of a seemingly authentic application and uses users who don’t know about it.

All of these applications are programmed to install each other on users’ devices, acting as droppers, potentially delivering even more dangerous malware.

When you install an app infected with Joker malware, it subscribes you to a paid subscription without your permission. Worse yet, Joker malware too can be done with your contacts, SMS messages and information from your device.

Google first encountered this threat in 2017.and it’s still a constant problem. The tireless hackers behind the Joker malware are constantly finding ways to manipulate security flaws in the Google Play store, allowing disguised malware to go undetected.

In early 2019, Google tightened the restrictions on apps that request access to your call log or SMS. Due to this policy change, many Joker-infected apps have been detected and subsequently removed from the Play Store. Despite this, they seem to be able to overcome any obstacle, so you need to be very careful.