Data-draining malware targeting Android users found in Google Play Store

The adware will also drain the device's battery, slow its performance and create significant lag

Data-draining malware targeting Android users found in Google Play Store

The adware will also drain the device's battery, slow its performance and create significant lag

More than 300 apps in the Google Play Store may be infected with malware, just weeks after Trojan virus Xavier infiltrated more than 800 Android-based applications. The malicious software works by continuously requesting ads from third-party companies and faking clicks from Android users, which spawns revenue and fraudulent impressions. The malware doesn't pose a substantial threat - it won't spy on user data or personal information - but it will drain the device's battery, slow its performance and create significant lag. eZanga, a Middletown, Delaware-based online advertising company, identified at least 317 affected apps earlier this month in the Google Play Store. In just 24 hours, more than 3,000 ads were requested by two wallpaper apps installed on test phones - Lovely Rose and Oriental Beauty - even when the devices were in sleep mode. At just $0.015 per click, fraudulent ad revenue from around 300 apps could cost advertisers from $62,000 to $214,000 per day. eZanga believes the applications may have been installed up to 14.2 million times. One infected app, Clone Camera, has been downloaded by nearly one million users, while one version of popular program manager ES File Explorer/Manager PRO was also found laced with malware.Apps released by developers Attunable, Classywall, Firamo, FlameryHot, NeonApp, Goopolo, Zheka and several others were found to contain malicious software, eZanga said. A full list of the developers can be seen here.The advertising firm reportedly notified Google of the malicious apps - the Menlo Park-based technology company vowed earlier this year to "prevent additional malicious applications...from being distributed through Android Market."Apps infected with malware are becoming problematic for developers and consumers. As of last spring, an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 billion people owned Android phones. The operating system is "more open and adaptable," making it easier to hack than iOS-based devices. Android smartphone owners should avoid downloading and installing apps from unknown sources, even if they're featured in the Google Play Store. Reading user reviews is also helpful - apps that show suspicious behavior will often have low ratings.

More than 300 apps in the Google Play Store may be infected with malware, just weeks after Trojan virus Xavier infiltrated more than .

works by continuously requesting ads from third-party companies and faking clicks from Android users, which spawns revenue and fraudulent impressions.

The malware doesn't pose a substantial threat - it won't spy on user data or personal information - but it will drain the device's battery, slow its performance and create significant lag.

a Middletown, Delaware-based online advertising company, identified at least 317 affected apps earlier this month in the Google Play Store. In just 24 hours, more than 3,000 ads were requested by two wallpaper apps installed on test phones - Lovely Rose and Oriental Beauty - even when the devices were in sleep mode.

At just $0.015 per click, fraudulent ad revenue from around 300 apps could cost advertisers from $62,000 to $214,000 per day.

eZanga believes the applications may have been installed up to 14.2 million times. One infected app, Clone Camera, has been downloaded by nearly one million users, while one version of popular program manager ES File Explorer/Manager PRO was also found laced with malware.

Apps released by developers Attunable, Classywall, Firamo, FlameryHot, NeonApp, Goopolo, Zheka and several others were found to contain malicious software, eZanga said.

A full list of the developers

The advertising firm reportedly notified Google of the malicious apps - the Menlo Park-based technology company to "prevent additional malicious applications...from being distributed through Android Market."

Apps infected with malware are becoming problematic for developers and consumers. As of last spring, an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 billion people owned Android phones. The operating system is "more open and adaptable," making it easier to hack than iOS-based devices.

Android smartphone owners should avoid downloading and installing apps from unknown sources, even if they're featured in the Google Play Store. Reading user reviews is also helpful - apps that show suspicious behavior will often have low ratings.

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