The virus on google play They are not a common occurrence, but we all know they are there. No matter how hard the Android app store tries to fight malware, trojans and other threats, getting rid of them all is an impossible task.
The latest upset has been caused by Necro, a Trojan that was already lurking around in 2019 and has now returned to the spotlight after infecting more than 11 million Android phones around the world.
What is Necro?
This is a Trojan that has been specifically designed to infect Android devices. It camouflages itself within applications that look legitimate and, when we install them, starts to do its thing.
Necro can perform different malicious actions once it is on the mobile, for example:
- Display intrusive ads that open even when you are not using the infected application.
- Download additional malware.
- Steal your personal information: contacts, messages, login credentials, etc.
- Subscribing to premium services without your consent.
- Allow the cybercriminal behind the Trojan to remotely control your device.
In 2019, Necro was detected in the CamScanner app, and traces of this malware have now been found in a version of Spotify modified by users, in the Wuta Camera app, in Max Browser and in some modified versions of WhatsApp and popular games like Minecraft.
Security firm Kaspersky estimates that the Google Play virus has infected more than 11 million Android smartphones this time around.
This has been possible because the technique of steganography has been used, which allows it to be hidden in apparently legitimate apps and makes it very difficult to locate.
How is the situation currently?
Google has been working for a few weeks to mitigate this threat. Wuta Camera, an application that has accumulated more than 10 million downloads, has gone through a complete cleaning process and the version that is now available on Google Play is completely safe. Clean versions start from 6.3.7.138.
In the case of Max Browser, which is a browser for Android that has accumulated more than a million downloads, it has been decided to remove it from the Google app store.
The rest of the affected applications were distributed through unofficial sources, because they were unauthorized variants of WhatsApp, Spotify and very popular games.
What to do if you have downloaded an app with a virus from Google Play?
If you have any of the infected applications, it is best to remove them right away. In fact, since the Trojan can spread its networks far and wide, it is It is best to make a backup of your files and restore the phone to factory settings., even if you haven't noticed that anything is wrong.
If you don't want to go through a full format, delete the affected applications and run an antivirus updated to its latest version on the device. This way you can detect if there is anything unusual.
How to protect yourself against Necro
Protecting yourself from Necro and other viruses on Google Play is not complicated, it just requires a little attention on our part. Bear in mind that there is a lot of your personal information on your mobile phone that you certainly don't want to fall into the hands of criminals: passwords to your banks, your social media profiles, work data, personal photos, etc. That's why it's worth it for all of us to apply preventive measures and be cautious.
What we can do is:
- Protect our mobile with a quality antivirus that is capable of detecting the latest generation malware. In addition,It is important that we keep it updated to the latest version, which is always the most effective.
- Check the app's page in the store before downloading it. Read the information provided by the manufacturer about the app carefully and pay attention to reviews. If something seems suspicious, you better not download it.
- Don't look for mods or pirated versions. If an infected app can sneak into Google Play, imagine what can be found on sites that collect pirated versions of popular apps. In fact, specialists point out that these unofficial versions are often loaded with malware, in some cases harmless and in others as dangerous as Necro.
- Keep your device updated to the latest version of its operating system, because updates also carry security patches that are very useful in these cases.
- Be sure of the permissions you are giving to the app. If you see that it is requesting permissions that are not necessary for its operation, be wary of it.
The key is to never download from untrusted sites. And even when we use trusted sites like official app stores, we still have to be very careful.
Other viruses that have spread through mobile phones
Necro has been just the latest malware to cause a stir, but There have been others before and more will continue to arrive.
Within mobile virus We have to be very attentive to:
Banking Trojans
They infiltrate bank apps and steal our access credentials to carry out fraudulent transactions that can leave our account at zero.
Scareware
This malware displays fake security alerts that scare you into installing other malicious apps or making certain payments.
Ransomware
A classic malware, it encrypts your mobile data. It “kidnaps” it and the hacker asks you for a payment to recover it.
Adware
It constantly shows you intrusive advertising, which slows down your device and also consumes data.
spyware
It is responsible for spying on all your activity and obtaining personal data that the hacker can use for his own benefit.
Among the most famous viruses of recent years are:
- Judy. It reached over 85 popular apps on Google Play Store.
- Triad. A Trojan that infected millions of devices by disguising itself as games and other popular apps.
- xHelper. A particularly dangerous virus because it automatically reinstalled itself even after formatting the device.
Viruses on Google Play are always there, no matter how hard you try to fight them. That's why it's important that we do our part to protect ourselves.