Joker Malware Is Back: Delete These 15 APPS From Your Android Phone Now Otherwise You Will Be Wasted

Shivam Bangwal November 22, 2021

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New Delhi: Tatyana Shishkova, an analyst at cyber security firm Kaspersky, took to Twitter to alert Android phone users to the return of the powerful Joker malware on the Google Play Store. Shishkova found that the Joker malware is infecting at least 14 Android apps. The Joker malware caused quite a scare last year after it infected several apps. To protect users, Google had to intervene and remove those apps. But it looks like the malware is back on the Google Play Store again. Some of the apps that have been infected with the Joker malware are quite popular with over 50,000 installs, while Shishkova’s list has other little-known apps as well. ( malware is back )

also read: Cryptocurrency is a bogey that the Indian government needs to ban, not regulated

What is Joker malware and what does it do?

Joker malware infects popular apps on the Google Play store and enters the user’s phone when the apps are downloaded. The Joker malware is able to make its way to the Google Play store through small changes to its code and bypass the Play Store’s security and scrutiny. It is quite stubborn and often reappears. It was first detected in 2017 and Google has been working hard to protect users from this malware for years. (malware is back )

Malware is so dangerous

As far as its payload is concerned, Joker malware steals money from users by secretly subscribing to online services in the background without their knowledge. It is capable of automatically clicking on online ads and can even access OTPs from SMS to accept payments secretly. The user will also not be aware that he has subscribed to any service online without checking the bank details.