Uninstall Now: These Android Apps on Google Play Are Actually Adware
Doctor Web’s latest monthly mobile threat report has identified several Android apps with more than 2 million installs that masquerade as gaming or productivity apps but are actually adware. If you have downloaded any of these apps on your device, it is important to uninstall them immediately. This article will provide you with a list of the apps to look out for and steps to take if you have them installed.
Super Skibydi Killer and Other Culprit Apps
The biggest culprit among these apps is Super Skibydi Killer, which has amassed over a million installs. The app claims to offer a game where players take on the role of a “super killer” and try to assassinate their enemy through a series of shooting games. However, once installed, Super Skibydi Killer and other similar apps try to hide from users by using transparent home-screen icons or icons that look like the Google Chrome browser. When users tap on these icons, the apps launch the browser and continue to operate in the background. Other apps involved in this scheme include Agent Shooter, Rainbow Stretch, and Rubber Punch 3D.
Joker Family Apps and Fake Financial Apps
Besides the adware apps, Doctor Web also found two Joker family apps on Google Play that subscribe users to paid services. One of these apps, Love Emoji Messenger, was downloaded 50,000 times, while Beauty Wallpaper HD had about 1,000 downloads. Additionally, several fake apps disguised as financial software for stock trading or home accounting were found. These apps, such as GazEndow Economic, MoneyMentor, FinancialFusion, and Financial Vault, launched fraudulent sites where victims were encouraged to become investors.
Other Apps Masquerading as Games
Some apps within Google Play are advertised as games, but their main functionality is to load online casino websites. These games include Eternal Maze, Jungle Jewels, Stellar Secrets, Fire Fruits, Cowboy’s Frontier, and Enchanted Elixir. Users who have downloaded these games should delete them immediately.
Steps to Take
If you believe you have downloaded any of the mentioned apps, it is crucial to uninstall them as soon as possible. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the app drawer on your Android device.
- Find the app you want to uninstall and long-press on its icon.
- Select the “Uninstall” option from the menu that appears.
- Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
In addition to uninstalling the apps, it is recommended to perform a device scan using both Play Protect and a reliable mobile antivirus tool. Play Protect is Google’s built-in antivirus and threat detection service for Android devices. To run a device scan using Play Protect:
- Open the Google Play Store on your device.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner to open the menu.
- Select “Play Protect.”
- Tap on the “Scan” button to start the device scan.
- Follow any prompts or actions recommended by Play Protect.
In addition to Play Protect, consider using a reputable mobile antivirus tool to scan your device for any remaining threats. There are many antivirus apps available on Google Play, such as Avast, Bitdefender, and Norton Mobile Security. Install one of these apps and run a full device scan to ensure your device is free from malware.
Conclusion
It is important to stay vigilant when downloading apps from Google Play, as even popular apps can sometimes turn out to be adware or other forms of malware. If you have downloaded any of the mentioned apps, take immediate action to uninstall them and protect your device from potential threats. Regularly using Play Protect and a reliable antivirus tool is also recommended to ensure the security of your Android device.
