
Along with encouraging users to download scareware and pay for premium services, AdultSwine also stole users' credentials, according to Check Point.
The apps so far had been downloaded between 3 million and 7 million times, the researchers said, citing Google Play's data. The malware, dubbed AdultSwine, displayed pornographic images that looked like ads but were actually created to prompt users to download fake security software and, getting users to click on links they then have to pay for.
In an email, Check Point said Google is usually quite successful when blocking malware on the Play Store. "An experienced eye could easily foresee this tactic, though a child playing a game app is easy prey for such nefarious apps".
"We've removed the apps from Play, disabled the developers' accounts, and will continue to show strong warnings to anyone that has installed them", a Google spokesperson said.
A number of Android apps on Google Play that could have been downloaded by children have been serving up an unwelcome surprise: pornographic ads.
"Developers [have] reported unexpected latency between when a user installs a mobile app and when the corresponding Wear app is installed via multi-APK on Wear 1.0 devices", Lam stated in a Google+ post.
More news: Former staffer accuses Jeff Klein of forcing a kiss'The most shocking element of this malware is its ability to cause pornographic ads (from the attacker's library) to pop up without warning on the screen over the legitimate game app being displayed, ' it said.
Google Play bans software that promotes sexually explicit content, and the company has safeguards in place to prevent malware-laden apps from infiltrating the platform.
In this case, the malware initially displays a pop-up ad claiming the user has won an iPhone and that their phone number is needed to collect the prize.
"Although for now this malicious app seems to be a nasty nuisance, and most certainly damaging on both an emotional and financial level, it nevertheless also has a potentially much wider range of malicious activities that it can pursue, all relying on the same common concept", Check Point warned.
"Due to the pervasive use of mobile apps, 'AdultSwine" and other similar malicious apps will likely be continually repeated and imitated by hackers.
Related News:
-
Card Factory (CARD) - Analysts' Recent Ratings Updates
Wellington Shields Management Limited Com reported 0.05% of its portfolio in Amgen Inc. 551,768 are owned by Dimensional Fund Lp. Shares of NEXT ( NXT ) traded up GBX 37 ($0.50) during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching GBX 5,000 ($67.81).Tunisians refuse to back down as protesters demand government reverse austerity measures
Protests , some violent, flared across Tunisia on Monday, when one protester was killed, before ebbing on Thursday. Tunisia's economy has struggled since the revolution, with growth remaining slow.Union Pacific Corp's (NYSE:UNP) Sentiment is 0.9
The railroad operator reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the Zacks' consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.01. Lazard Asset Mgmt Limited Liability Corporation holds 189,047 shares or 0.02% of its portfolio. (NYSE:ABBV). -
Come Fly With Us, India Tells Foreign Investors
India has secured robust foreign investment inflows in recent years, but its economic growth has slowed recently. The move should generate employment and give Indian consumers access to several global brands.Make Dlamini-Zuma Interim President and I'll step down
She said that if Ramaphosa was truly serious about rooting out corruption‚ Zuma would no longer be the president of South Africa. Talk of Zuma's resignation had a positive impact on the rand, according to Business Day .Mary J. Blige Earns Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Blige called the 47-year-old a queen, saying "she's royal, she's majestic", and outrightly saying that she is "black excellence". I had two rims on it because I couldn't afford four. we would just drive down the highway in NY , and we would just dream. -
HBO's FAHRENHEIT 451 Adaptation Looks Very Cool
The movie script for " Fahrenheit 451 " has something like stage directions, but it's more like narration, Cherne said. It will be interesting to see how the new movie updates Bradbury's story to tackle the modern media landscape.Blue Jays, Donaldson avoid arbitration with a record deal
The team will have to make a decision on his future after this season as the 32-year old is a free agent at the end of the season. He is eligible for free agency after this season.The 'Paddington' sequel bears laughs, warmth, and charm
When a mysterious figure breaks into the antique shop and steals the book, Paddington is framed for the theft and sent to prison. Ditching the tie for the more casual event, Hugh posed alongside Melissa, Denise, and their kids as he promoted the kids film. -
Celebrity Big Brother 2018: Ann, Courtney and Andrew's secret connection revealed HERE
Corrie icon Amanda lost her temper with India during the latest 1950s-themed task, telling the women: "You have to leave [India]". And I don't like that because I'm not an embarrassment on the outside, honestly.United States retails sales grow 0.4 pct in December
These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. Clothing/accessories and health/personal care clocked in weaker growth, up 2.7 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively.'Canada's WTO complaint against U.S. could scuttle NAFTA'
The 32-page complaint challenges Washington's use of anti-dumping and countervailing duties, arguing it goes against WTO rules. He explained, "Even if Canada succeeded on these groundless claims, other countries would primarily benefit, not Canada".