Android Adware Virus News: Adware Found In Google Play Apps, Virus Downloaded By Millions?

Google has removed apps from its Google Play after researchers found android adware in several apps that had been downloaded millions of times.

The adware was discovered by anti-virus software maker Avast after a user posted about the apps with adware on the Avast forum last Jan. 23.

"This didn't seem like anything spectacular at the beginning, but once I took a closer look, it turned out that this malware was a bit bigger than I initially thought," wrote Avast's Filip Chytry in a post.

He said "the apps were already downloaded by millions of users and third, I was surprised that the adware led to some legitimate companies."

The card game app Durak was identified as the most widespread among the adware-containing apps with installations of about 5 to 10 million.

The other apps with adware included IQ Test and history app.

Chytry said when one installs the said app, it appears normal but the adware will appear after a few days after the device is rebooted.

"After a week, you might start to feel there is something wrong with your device," he said, adding that some of the apps wait until 30 days until the adwares show up.

He added, "Each time you unlock your device an ad is presented to you, warning you about a problem, e.g. that your device is infected, out of date or full of porn. This, of course, is a complete lie."

The device user is then asked to take action and if he approves, he will get "re-directed to harmful threats on fake pages, like dubious app stores and apps that attempt to send premium SMS behind your back or to apps that simply collect too much of your data for comfort while offering you no additional value."

Chytry said what was surprising was that the redirections sometimes go to security apps on Google Play.

"These security apps are, of course, harmless, but would security providers really want to promote their apps via adware? Even if you install the security apps, the undesirable ads popping up on your phone don't stop," he said.