Malicious Android Apps Infected Over 1 Million Phones;Beware Google Accounts Hit by Malware!

Android users must be highly conscious today in installing Android phone apps.  Malicious Android Apps have been discovered recently to infect more than one million devices and hits some Google accounts.

According to The Verge, "Googlian" first emerged in August and currently, this malicious Android apps had been taking down devices at the fastest rate of 13,000 per day. Currently, the malware is said to have infected more than one million Android devices as a new report from the security firm Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd. has revealed.

More so, the malicious android apps allegedly disguised as apps for every Android smartphones and tablets, as per Yahoo News. The malware hides as useful apps with names such as StopWatch, Perfect Cleaner and Wi-Fi Enhancer. The most vulnerable to the attack are low Android smartphone versions like 4 and 5 of Jellybean, Kit Kat and Marshmallow.

The malicious Android apps strongly infect all over Asia wherein there is a great proportion of Android users which uses third-party apps. Check Points Software Technologies, Ltd. provided a full list of infected apps from simple games to controversial and attractive pornographic apps and photos.

In Google Play some of the Gooligan can be downloaded without authorization. If this happens, users Android phone will be infected with pop-up ads and unwanted software, according to Israel-based security firm.

Furthermore, when the malware has taken over the user's Android phone and has been installed, it will take advantage of two known vulnerabilities. The Gooligan malware will take authorization token from Google, and unknowingly, it will have broader access to the user's Google account such as Gmail, Drive, and Photos.

Users which does not update their Android phones operating systems leave their smartphones and tablets the most prone to Gooligan or Ghost Push attacks. Meanwhile, Google said that it has removed the malicious Android apps in the Google Play. Likewise, Google has secured Google accounts compromised by the malware.

However, it is still very risky for users with low versions of Android phones. It is because, free apps are also offered by alternative stores which might be carrier of the malicious Android apps. To take down the risks, it is best for all Android phone users to update their operating systems until the last piece of the app has been removed.