Joker attack on Android

 

'Joker' attack on Android, Trojan virus found in which 6 apps in Google Play Store?

 

After Batman's City, now the 'Joker' has hit Android smartphones as well. The difference is that this 'Joker' is not a flesh-and-blood character from any fictional comics, but a Trojan malware virus.

 

Pune-based cyber security firm Quickhill Security Labs has said that the virus is attacking smartphones through eight applications (apps) in the Google Play Store. The company claims that 'Joker' is manipulating users' information through SMS from smartphone apps and making them 'premium' subscribers of various advertisements without permission.

 

Quickhill recently reported to Google that the Joker had been hacked by these apps. Following the company's warning, Google has removed those 6 apps from their Play Store. According to Google, these apps are: Auxiliary Message, Fast Magic SMS, Free Camscanner, Super Message, Element Scanner, Go Messages, Travel Wallpapers and Super SMS.

 

By the way, Trojan malware like 'Joker' has been caught in the apps of Google Play Store for the last 3 years. However, in their recent report, Quickhill has identified these 6 apps in the Google Play Store. After that Google has been active. According to cyber security experts, if these apps are on Android smartphones, users should remove them now.

 

In the case of DC Comics superhero Batman, the Joker's movements were as fast as they could be, but not so much in the case of the virus. Quickhill reports that the Joker first steals information via SMS, mobile contact lists and device info. As soon as these 8 apps are installed, 'Joker' first asks permission to send notifications to them with notification data.

 

Apps steal SMS information from notifications if ordinary users do not report the presence of the 'Joker' and normally allow it. The 'Joker' then wants access to the contact list if the notification is allowed. After allowing phone calls and managing them, the virus unknowingly makes users a premium subscriber to their various advertising websites. From then on, 'Joker' started working without the knowledge of the users.