Malware : What to do if You're Infected, as 500K Android Users Got Hit

You need to know that more than half a million Android users installed malware disguised as smartphone games from the Google Play store.

According to tweets from ESET security researcher Lukas Stefanko, mainly posing as a driving game, the malware was found in as many as 13 apps.

Such app crashes when the user tries to open it, and when it does, the developer gets access to the user's internet traffics, through which he steals user's information.

Do not hesitate to uninstall such app the moment you discover one, as described above.

Actually, it is not the first time malware has made its way onto Android applications. From the Android Monero-mining malware, the Android Facebook-hacking malware, the Loapi Android malware, and more, the company can't seem to catch a break.

To protect yourself from the malicious apps, four steps provide below would be of help:

• Only look at the number of app installations under the "Additional Information" section at the bottom of the page, that is the official download number on the Google Play site.
• Google Play does not have the blue "verified" check mark symbol in its system. While it does have an "Editor's Choice" badge, that will be located in the top right corner of the application's Google Play page.
• Read the app's user reviews. Oftentimes users who downloaded a fake app will comment a warning message.
• Lastly, if the app only has a small number of real downloads, or was added within the last few days, wait for other people to download it first and see if it's real.

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