The Play Store and the App Store both have fraudulent software. They store malicious software intended to annoy iOS and Android users with advertisements.
Computer security researchers from Human Security have found a total of 85 programs that are distributing advertising-related malware (adware) on official retail sites. In specifics, the specialists have identified 10 iOS apps on the App Store and 75 Android apps on the Play Store.
The researchers explain that these apps were launched as part of an official operation called Scylla. This campaign aims to quickly generate large advertising revenues. To do this, cybercriminals have hidden malicious software that may display advertisements on a smartphone's screen. These advertising pop-ups appear when using the smartphone or while the screen is turned off. It involves a very aggressive strategy that is essential to the way that scoundrels operate:
Publicity fraud on the Play Store and the App Store
According to Human Security, the operation, which is classified as a public relations scam, is an evolution of an assault that started in 2019. Researchers gave the campaign the name Poseidon, and it succeeded in inserting advertising malware into the code of 40 Android applications from the Play Store. Once more, the pirates quickly inflicted harm on the recipients of advertisements in order to profit from their crimes.
The operation is based on many fraud strategies, including Human Security. First off, developers deceive advertisers by passing off their programs as legitimate and well-liked solutions. According to the study, "malicious actors code their applications to make them appear to be other applications."
Once the advertisers are caught in the trap, they will broadcast the advertisements when "the user cannot see them," for example when the screen is obscured. Sometimes, advertisements are dispersed invisibly in the background of a program. Of course, this wastes time for the advertisers. Despite all, these advertisements, which were displayed at the victim's request, are counted in the apps' results. The criminals perceive profits because of these fabricated results.
The list of iOS and Android apps that store adware
The investigators from Human Security found that the programs installing adware had amassed over 13 million installs. Keep in mind that Apple swiftly banned programs from the App Store. Installing them on iPhone is no longer an option. Google also removed the applications from its Play Store.
If you find one of these programs on your Android or iPhone smartphone, we advise you to remove it immediately. Here is a list of fraudulent applications that Human Security has identified:
10 apps iOS Remove now !
- Loot the Castle
- Run Bridge
- Shinning Gun
- Racing Legend 3D
- Rope Runner
- Wood Sculptor
- Fire-Wall
- Ninja Critical Hit
- Tony Runs
75 apps Android Remove now !
- Super Hero-Save the world!
- Arrow Coins
- Parking Master
- Lady Run
- Magic Brush 3D
- Shake Shake Sheep
- Number Combination: Colored Chips
- Jackpot Scratcher-Win Real
- Scratch Carnival
- Ztime:Earn cash rewards easily
- Billionaire Scratch
- Lucky Wings – Lotto Scratchers
- Lucky Star: Lotto Scratch
- Shake Shake Pig
- Lucky Money Tree
- Run And Dance
- Lucky Scratchers: Lotto Card
- Pull Worm
- Crowd Battle:Fight the bad guys
- Shoot Dummy – Win Rewards & Paypal Cash
- Spot 10 Differences
- Find 5 Differences – New
- Dinosaur Legend
- One Line Drawing
- Shoot Master
- Talent Trap – NEW
- Shoot it: Using Gun
- Super Flake
- Five-Star Slice
- Sand Drawing
- Mr Dinosaur: Play your Dino
- Track Sliding New
- Beat Kicker New
- Fill Color 3D
- Draw Live
- Draw 1 Stroke
- Fidget Cubes
- Girls Fight
- Ninja Assassin
- Shooting Puzzle 2020
- Pulley Parkour
- Chop Flake 3D
- Weapon Fantasy
- Balloon Shooter
- Musical Shoot
- Chop Slices
- Ninja Slice
- Work Now!
- Bottle Jump
- Corn Scraper
- Idle Wood Maker
- Pop Girls Schooler
- Romy Rush
- Spear Hero
- Dig Road Balls
- BOO Popstar
- Draw CompleteA
- Rush 2048：3D Shoot Cubes
- Meet Camera
- Auto Stamp Camera
- Find Five Differences
- MUFC
- Roll Turn
- Hidind Draw
- Peter Shoot
- Design n Road
- Draw Complete
- Thief King
- Downhill Race
- Draw a War
- Rescue Master
- Spin:Letter Roll
- Helicopter Attack – NEW
- Crush Car
- Relx cash
- War in Painting
- Bike Extreme Racing
- Player Spiral Maker 3D
- Match 3 Tiles
- 2048 Merge Cube – Win Cash
Recall that it is not uncommon for applications to be found on official stores that have been vetted. A few weeks ago, Bitdefender managed to remove thirty Android applications that were affected by an analog of adware.
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