Android phone and tablet users are being warned about none apps which can infect your device with malware.
A new report by Trend Micro has identified nine apps you need to avoid - and delete if you already have them.
A spokesman for Trend Micro said: “We recently discovered several malicious optimizer, booster, and utility apps on Google Play that are capable of accessing remote ad configuration servers that can be used for malicious purposes, perform mobile ad fraud, and download as many as 3,000 malware variants or malicious payloads on affected devices.
“Based on our analysis, the 3,000 malware variants or malicious payloads that can be possibly downloaded to an affected device with this campaign pretend to be system applications that do not show app icons on the device launcher or application list.
“The cybercriminals behind this campaign can use the affected device to post fake positive reviews in favour of the malicious apps, as well as perform multiple ad fraud techniques by clicking on the ads that pop up.”
The dangerous apps - which claim to boost device performance - have been downloaded more than 470,000 times. Google has now removed all nine apps from the Google Play Store.
Trend Micro is urging users to be diligent about which apps they download to their smartphones, reports The Mirror.
It added: “Fraudsters attempt to deceive users by making malicious apps look genuine, so users should do their due diligence before downloading any mobile app.”
The nine dangerous apps
Shoot Clean
Super Clean Lite
Super Clean
Quick Games
Rocket Cleaner
Rocket Cleaner Lite
Speed Clean
LinkWorldVPN
H5 Gamebox
