Researchers say that the Joker malware steals users’ data including SMS, contact list data, device information, OTPs, and more. — 123rf.com
The Joker malware is back to trouble Google. Researchers from Quick Heal Security Labs have detected eight apps that are on the Google Play Store that are laced with this Joker malware, which you should delete right away if any of them are on your devices.
Joker is one of the most persistent malware strains and it continuously targets Android devices.
The Joker malware is also quite relentless and manages to find its way back into the Google Play Store every few months. The Joker malware manages to sneak back on The Play Store by changing its code, execution method, and/or its payload-retrieving techniques. Essentially, this malware is always evolving making it almost impossible to boot out once and for all.
Researchers say that the Joker malware steals users’ data including SMS, contact list data, device information, OTPs, and more. The eight apps that Quick Heal Security Labs detected have been removed from the Google Play Store so you cannot download them anymore, however, if you have already downloaded them, they will still be on your device and you need to manually uninstall and delete them.
The eight apps you need to delete right away are:
1. Auxiliary Message
2. Fast Magic SMS
3. Free CamScanner
4. Super Message
5. Element Scanner
6. Go Messages
7. Travel Wallpapers
8. Super SMS
How to delete apps on Android
You can go to the Play Store, search for the app and then click on 'Uninstall' on the app page. This will remove the app from your smartphone.
You can also long-press on the app from the home screen and you will get an option to either drag it off your screen and delete it or click on the 'x' icon to delete it right from the home screen.
Since the Joker malware keeps coming back to the Play Store, you can also follow some regular safe practices to avoid dodgy apps that might carry malware. Always check app ratings and app reviews before you download them. If you see a lot of complaints in the reviews, steer away from the app.
Also, if you see reviews glorifying the app excessively despite the ratings being very low, those reviews are most likely fake, so you should stay away from those apps too. – Hindustan Times, New Delhi/Tribune News Service
