Android users around the world have been alerted about 38 apps formerly on the Google Play store that came with a malicious hidden feature.
As mobile gaming apps makers tapped into the popularity of Minecraft with the copycat games, online security experts have warned several of these popular games contained hidden advertising.
McAfee's Mobile Research Team discovered 38 of these dodgy apps on the Play Store had been downloaded 38 million times. The experts say the apps "stealthily" loaded adware in the background of mobile phones as users play the game none the wiser.
All 38 apps have now been purged off the Play Store by Google after McAfee alerted the tech giant, reports the Mirror.
This type of attack can generate huge sums of cash for cyber crooks as mobile phone users are unaware their device is being slowed down by adverts hidden in the background.
"Minecraft’s popularity has led to many attempts to recreate similar games," explained McAfee security adviser Dexter Shin. "As a result, there are so many games with the same concept as Minecraft worldwide. Even on Google Play, we can easily search for similar games."
McAfee Mobile Research Team recently discovered 38 games with hidden advertising. These HiddenAds applications discovered on the Google Play Store and installed by at least 35 million users worldwide, have been found to send packets stealthily for advertising revenue in bulk."
Five of the most popular Google apps affected by ban
If you have any on your device it's a good idea to delete them without delay. The full list of banned applications can be found on McAfee's website.
- Block Box Master Diamond • Downloaded 10 million times
- Craft Sword Mini Fun • Downloaded 5 million times
- Block Box Skyland Sword – Downloaded 5 million times
- Craft Monster Crazy Sword – Downloaded 5 million times
- Block Pro Forrest Diamond – Downloaded 1 million times
McAfee says it's vital that all Android users check reviews before downloading and installing any new apps onto their phones.
Also, if the performance of your phone begins to suffer after a new download, this could be a sign of something behind the scenes that would be worth checking your recent downloads.
The latest purge comes weeks after Google banned 36 applications from the Play Store. This attack also installed adware along with malware that could allow hackers to see data such as Wi-Fi history, the Bluetooth devices connected to a phone, which apps are being used and even look at nearby GPS locations.
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