Google Play has recently removed a staggering 38 Android applications from its mobile marketplace, after hidden advertisement software was spotted within them.
The team at McAfee's Mobile Research Team made the discovery, with at least 35 million users worldwide said to be affected by the software - which cryptically places stealthy advertisements within the mobile apps and allows owners to rake in advertising revenue.
The apps were all subsequently reported to Google, who took swift and prompt action by removing all affected products from its popular Play Store.
Read more: Google bans 36 more popular Android apps after spotting malicious software - delete immediately
All of the 38 mobile applications were rehashes of the popular Minecraft videogame, which is played by millions globally across Xbox, PlayStation and PC. But rather than providing a similar sense of enjoyment, the knock-off apps were slowing devices down by bulk loading digital bugs.
McAfee's Dexter Shin said: "Minecraft’s popularity has led to many attempts to recreate similar games. As a result, there are so many games with the same concept as Minecraft worldwide. Even on Google Play, we can easily search for similar games.
"McAfee Mobile Research Team recently discovered 38 games with hidden advertising. These HiddenAds applications discovered on the Google Play Store and installed by at least 35 million users worldwide, have been found to send packets stealthily for advertising revenue in bulk."
Dexter also detailed how the game allows 'advertisement packets of various domains' to 'continuously occur on the device' in the background while nothing is displayed on the game screen itself. Advising on app safety and security precautions, Dexter added: "We first recommend that users thoroughly review user reviews before downloading applications from the store.
"And users should install security software on their devices and always keep up to date."
Here is a full list of apps which have been banned by Google, after the hidden ad software was reported.
The 38 apps recently banned by Google -
- Block Box Master Diamond
- Craft Sword Mini Fun
- Block Box Skyland Sword
- Craft Monster Crazy Sword
- Block Pro Forrest Diamond
- Block Game Skyland Forrest
- Block Rainbow Sword Dragon
- Craft Rainbow Mini Builder
- Block Forrest Tree Crazy
- Craft Clever Monster Castle
Block Monster Diamond Dragon
Craft World Fun Robo
Block Pixelart Tree Pro
Craft Mini Lucky Fun
Block Earth Skyland World
Block Rainbow Monster Castle
Block Fun Rainbow Builder
Craft Dragon Diamond Robo
Block World Tree Monster
Block Diamond Boy Pro
Block Lucky Master Earth
Craft Forrest Mini Fun
Craft Sword City Pro
Block Loki Monster Builder
Block Boy Earth Mini
Block Crazy Builder City
Craft Sword Vip Pixelart
Block City Fun Diamond
Craft City Loki Rainbow
Craft Boy Clever Sun
Block City Dragon Sun
Craft Loki Forrest Monster
Lokicraft: Forrest Survival 3D
Craft Castle Sun Rain
Craft Game Earth World
Craft Lucky Castle Builder
Craftsman: Building City 2022
Craft Rainbow Pro Rain
You can find out more about the apps, here.
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