Android Malware 'Goldoson' Found In 60 Apps On Google Play Store
Researchers recently found more than 60 malicious apps on the Google Play Store that accounted for 100 million downloads on the Google Play store and 8 million downloads on the ONE Store (in South Korea).
The 60 apps containing malware were discovered by McAfee's Mobile Research Team and this malware is being called "Goldoson." A third-party library that was unknowingly being used by the developers of these 60 apps is to be blamed for this malware.
How does Goldoson work?
According to the research team that discovered Goldoson, the malware has the capability to collect data on installed apps, WiFi and Bluetooth-connected devices, and the user's locations. In addition, the malware can also commit ad fraud by clicking on advertisements in the background without the user's consent.
The level of data collection on behalf of the malicious apps is largely dependent on permissions that were given to the infected app during installation. In general, Android 11 and above are better protected against data collection, but McAfee found that Goldoson was able to gather sensitive data in 10% of the apps.
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Since McAfee is a Google App Defense Alliance member, it helps Google Play keep the app ecosystem free of malware and adware. Once Google and the developers were informed, the malicious library was removed from most apps. Many that weren't able to remove it were simply taken off the Google Play Store for non-compliance.
Even though the impacted apps can become safe again by simply updating them on the Play Store, its malicious versions may be available on third-party Android app stores. A user's best bet is to uninstall the app then install it again from the Play Store.?Indian users are largely safe because these apps specifically cater to the South Korean market.
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Some of the impacted apps include L.POINT with L.PAY, Swipe Brick Breaker,?Money Manager Expense & Budget, GOM Player, LIVE Score, Real-Time Score, Pikicast, Compass 9: Smart Compass, GOM Audio - Music, Sync lyrics, LOTTE WORLD Magicpass, Bounce Brick Breaker, Infinite Slice, SomNote - Beautiful note app, and Korea Subway Info: Metroid. The entire list is available here.
What do you think about the state of dangerous on app stores? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
