Name change helped Android malware sneak past Google's app screening
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Name change helped Android malware sneak past Google's app screening
Despite enhancing its app screening process and implementing several built-in protection measures for Android OS, malware continues to evade detection and make their way onto the Google Play app store.
Symantec recently discovered that at least 7 apps reappearing on the Google Play app store under a different name and publisher even after Google was alerted and the original apps removed. The same malicious code was published with a slightly different name under a new publisher.
The rogue apps include emoji keyboard additions, space cleaners, calculators, app lockers and call recorders. None of them actually functioned as advertised on the Google Play app store according to Symantec.
This isn't the first incident of malware appearing on the Google Play app store. In January last year, Android OS malware Charger was found embedded in a Google Play store app. Six months later, Google removed 20 malicious apps for recording calls, stealing emails and texts.
To protect your Android device from malware, you are recommended to not download apps from unfamiliar sources and pay close attention to the permissions requested by apps. You also can download a suitable mobile security app to protect against malware.
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