Android, iOS: Avast Discovers 7 New Malwares, Thanks to a Little Girl

This is clearly not the first time that computer security researchers have detected new malicious apps on the Google Play Store and App Store. On the other hand, when the tip came from a young Czech girlthis seems unprecedented! In fact, Avast researchers managed to get their hands on these seven adware Thanks to the attention of a child who is an avid user of TikTok.

A young girl uncovers a huge scam

This young user accidentally found a profile on TikTok promoting these malicious applicationsThe young girl found two more accounts promoting these apps and reported them to the authorities. Be Safe Online projectAn organization in the Czech Republic that works to keep children safe online.

Thanks to the report Avast researchers were able to track down these malicious apps on Android and iOSAccording to the information obtained, in these applications, a total of 2.4 million downloadsfor total income $500,000These are all adware that can bombard the user with intrusive advertisements even when they are turned off.

Particularly aggressive and profitable adware

Some users claim that they can no longer use their smartphones systematic presence of advertisements on screenThese apps, aimed at a younger audience, also allow unnecessary in-app purchases to be billed in between. 2 and 10 € like wallpapers or ringtones. And the icing on the cake, they get on board A worm that hides the application iconmakes removal more complicated.

“We thank the girl who reported the TikTok profile to us, her conscientiousness and responsible behavior is the kind of commitment we should all show to make the cyber world safer. The apps we discovered are scams and violate Google and Apple policies by making misleading claims about app features or by serving ads outside the app and hiding the original icon. Avast’s threat analyst Jakub Vávra assures us of this.

List of malicious apps

Below is the list of these malicious apps. Avast reported its discoveries to Google and Appleand these apps shouldn’t take long to uninstall. If you’ve downloaded one of these, it’s highly recommended that you uninstall it as soon as possible:

On Google Play Store

• ThemeZone – Shawky App Free – Shock My Friends (418,000 downloads)
• Tap Roulette ++Shock My Friend (1.7 million downloads)
• Ulimate Music Downloader – Download Free Music (192,000 downloads)

On the App Store

• Shock My Friends – Satuna (22,000 downloads)
• 666 Times (10,000 downloads)
• ThemeZone – Live Wallpapers (67,000 downloads)
• Shock My Friend Roulette V (44,000 downloads)

Source : Stop