Categories: NewsTech

Malware "Joker" reload: if you have installed any of these 16 applications, your mobile is in danger

Joker, the well-known malware recognized by Google and which forces the Play Store to constantly reinforce its defenses, returns to the load. After hitting in 2019, has reappeared on Google Play, infecting a total of 16 applications that accumulated more than 120,000 downloads. This hit adds to its recent appearance in July 2020, where he showed that he was still more alive than ever.

The team of Zscaler, cybersecurity experts, have reported the problem to Google, who has removed the apps immediately. Despite this, the news is another example of how malware continues to reappear on Android, despite the security measures introduced by Google to improve its app store.

Joker returns to the fray in at least 16 applications

According to the experts at Zscaler, Joker can act in several ways. Mainly, is malicious software that can sign us up for premium subscription services, as well as installing spyware on our terminal that can affect sensitive data.

Joker can subscribe your mobile to a premium SMS service to steal money little by little, as well as steal sensitive information

There is no fixed pattern of behavior for Joker, and he is capable of performing actions in the background. The application hides in its code the instructions for download data on our phone once the app is downloaded, so the user cannot be aware of what is being done in the background.

In Engadget Android

Google explains what ‘Joker’ is like, the malware that forces the Play Store to constantly strengthen its defenses

Experts Recommend immediately remove these apps And, as always, be especially careful with those apps that may request permissions related to SMS, call logs, contacts, and more. Specific, these are the applications they recommend uninstalling: