Malicious apps downloaded millions of times discovered on Google Play

More than 50 mobile applications containing malware called NoVoice have been identified in the Google Play app store. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to information security specialists, these dangerous applications have been downloaded by users a total of more than 2.3 million times. This virus mainly spread in the form of photo galleries, various entertainment games, and auxiliary programs designed to clear device memory.

Its most dangerous feature is that during installation it does not request any suspicious permissions from the user and operates unnoticed. Experts from McAfee conducted an in-depth analysis of the operating principles of this malicious program.

The research revealed that once installed on a smartphone, the NoVoice program exploits vulnerabilities in older versions of the Android operating system. In this way, it attempts to gain full control of the device.

The virus's components are skillfully hidden within software tools designed for social networks. After being loaded into system memory, it deletes all temporary files and completely erases the traces of its activity.

The main purpose of this virus is to steal users' personal and confidential information. In particular, it specializes in capturing WhatsApp messenger correspondence, encryption keys, and backup copies from cloud storage.

The theft of such data allows cybercriminals to copy other people's accounts onto their own devices and use them for malicious purposes. Worst of all, due to the serious changes the virus makes to system libraries, even resetting the device to factory settings does not guarantee its complete removal.

Representatives of Google have officially commented on this situation, noting that devices with security updates released after May 2021 are protected from this threat. Currently, all malicious applications have been removed from the official store and blocked through a special protection system.

Experts strongly recommend that smartphone owners constantly monitor operating system updates and install them in a timely manner. Such measures are of great importance for ensuring the integrity of personal data.