Google play store removes 17 malicious Riskware apps

Google play store removes 17 malicious Riskware apps
Image source: Google

Google has removed 17 apps from the Play Store founded as Riskware by Bitdefender, a security company. The apps have a total download of over 550,000 dodged Google’s vetting system, thanks to malicious tactics. Apps like Car Racing 2019, Barcode Scanner, Backgrounds 4k HD and more were included in the list.

Although the apps have not been categorized as malicious but can potentially compromise security by showing an ad of, say an app affected by a malware, which users might download. Bitdefender said, “While not malicious per se, the tactics they use to smuggle themselves into Google Play and dodge Google’s vetting system are traditionally associated with malware.”

The apps were found to drain the user's phone battery by showing up full-screen ads at some point of intervals. Some game apps even showed multiple full-screen ads between the game, which prevented users from playing the game. Here is the list of apps that have been identified as Riskware by Bitdefender:

• Car Racing 2019
• 4K Wallpaper (Background 4K Full HD)
• Backgrounds 4K HD
• Barcode Scanner
• Clock LED
• Explorer File Manager
• File Manager Pro – Manager SD Card/Explorer
• Mobnet.io: Big Fish Frenzy
• Period Tracker – Cycle Ovulation Women’s
• QR & Barcode Scan Reader
• QR Code – Scan & Read a Barcode
• QR Code Reader & Barcode Scanner Pro
• Screen Stream Mirroring
• Today Weather Radar
• Transfer Data Smart
• VMOWO City: Speed Racing 3D
• Wallpapers 4K, Backgrounds HD

According to the post of Bitdefender, requests sent to ad web sites by some versions of the apps also contains sensitive information of users like phone model, IP address, IMEI, MAC address and location information.