Computer security researchers from Pradeo Security found traces of the Joker malware in Google’s Android app store Play Store. This time the malware was hidden within the code. Color Message applicationa seemingly harmless app that lets you send personalized emojis and block potential spam.
“A mobile app called Color Message infected with the Joker malware is now available for download on Google Play and has been installed by more than half a million users.”explains Pradeo Security in its report.
Joker malware lurks in Play Store
Joker software, which was first detected in September 2019, frequently caused panic in the Play Store. Regularly banned by Google security teams, Malware regularly returns to the store to defraud usersQ. It usually doesn’t take long for Google engineers to remove the virus from its platform. His last return to the spotlight was in November. Before the virus was detected, it had infiltrated 7 applications in the Play Store.
Joker malware, as expected, unknowingly subscribes smartphone users to premium online services. Malware to prevent the victim from noticing the scam intercepts confirmation SMS transmitted by services. The internet user’s credit card is regularly charged for unnecessary services. In this process, the virus collects the list of your contacts and transmits it to servers located in Russia.
“By using as little code as possible and hiding it carefully, Joker creates a very secret fingerprint that can be difficult to detect. “In the last two years, malware has been hidden in hundreds of applications.”explains Pradeo Security and highlights that Google’s security measures can be bypassed by malware. Additionally, hackers manage to: remove broken app icon from home page To prevent users from removing it.
If you installed the Color Message app before it was removed from the Play Store, we invite you to uninstall it immediately. Also check your credit card statements Searching for unknown transactions. As a security measure, we also recommend installing a good antivirus on your Android smartphone.
