FYI(News): Google had to delete 60 apps, many aimed at kids, after they showed users pornographic content

[Arcadia]

From CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/12/google-deletes-malware-on-apps-for-kids.html

 

“Google deleted 60 kid-themed apps from its Google Play app store after security firm Check Point found that they contained malware that could display pornographic content, trick users into installing fake "security apps," or induce them to sign up for premium SMS services.

Using Google Play store estimates, Check Point found that the 60 games, with titles like "Drawing Lessons Angry Birds," "Temple Crash Jungle Bandicoot" and "Spinner Fidget Toy," had at least 3.5 million downloads and as many as 7 million (the range is so wide because of how Google provides its publicly available download estimates). Check Point dubbed the malware "AdultSwine," and soon after the security firm alerted Google to the problem, the apps disappeared from the Play store.

...

However, even after Google deleted the apps from Play, the malware will continue to live on in people's phones until they get rid of it.

"We've removed the apps from Play, disabled the developers' accounts, and will continue to show strong warnings to anyone that has installed them," a Google spokesperson says. "We appreciate Check Point's work to help keep users safe."

Once a person downloaded one of the infected apps, pop-ups would either alert them that they had a virus and direct them to a fake security app, convince them to enter their phone number through a contest to win an iPhone, or show them pornographic content. The latter is particularly disturbing considering that most of these infected apps were games or drawing tutorials intended to entice kids.â€

 

ETA:

List of affected apps is listed halfway down this link https://research.checkpoint.com/malware-displaying-porn-ads-discovered-in-game-apps-on-google-play/

Edited January 13, 2018 by Arcadia in CA

[vonfirmath]

Ugh I think we may have that Spinner one. Will have to check my son's tablet

[shawthorne44]

"AdultSwine", I like the name they gave it.   Nicely insulting.   

 

I've always thought that when major criminal nicknames are given they should be insulting.  For example, "Cowardly Weenie".   Something with zero creds.  

Also, anyone who assassinates someone famous their name should never be used, instead it should be changed to "Scumbucket who killed XYZ".  

[Arcadia]

Ugh I think we may have that Spinner one. Will have to check my son's tablet

Checkpoint webpage has the list of affected apps and a clearer explanation.

 

About halfway down the link Appendix 1 – List of App Names https://research.checkpoint.com/malware-displaying-porn-ads-discovered-in-game-apps-on-google-play/

[SKL]

Wow, the other day my kids were trying to convince me their friend found something nasty on Geometry Dash (they thought), and I was telling them I wasn't that stupid.

Edited January 13, 2018 by SKL

[kiwik]

I am now glad out phones have such limited storage they can't download apps.