No matter what device you are using, you need to be on the lookout for scams. Any email, message that someone sends you, or any app that you download can be dangerous. We can not spend even a week without a new threat appearing and this week is a collection of malicious Android apps on Google Play.
Cybersecurity software company Avast has reported in recent weeks on a fraudulent campaign called UltimaSMS. According to Avast, 151 applications were part of the premium SMS scam campaign. These fake Android apps disguise themselves as legitimate tools, from photo editors and camera filters to games and QR code scanners. Their purpose is to get victims to sign up for expensive SMS services. Anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you have lost money, which you may not be able to recover.
Fake Android apps downloaded by millions
If you install an UltimaSMS application, it will immediately check your location, IMEI and phone number to find out which area code and language to use for fraud. When you open the application, you will see a screen in your language asking you to enter your phone number and / or email address.
Once you enter the information, the app will sign you up for a premium SMS service that can cost over $ 40 a month. At this point, the app will display even more subscription options or simply stop working. You will then be charged weekly by the fraud service.
It must be said that this is an extremely dangerous situation. You may think you are safe or too smart to fall for a scam app like this. The problem is that everyone thinks so. These fraudulent applications are a big problem that can affect anyone. How much attention do you really pay to your phone when downloading and installing a new app? As soon as you close your eyes, you can start losing money from the fake scams of Android apps like these. It is very important to always be vigilant.
This is why people are downloading these fake Android apps on Google Play, as Avast explains:
The discovered applications are essentially identical in structure, which means that the same basic application structure is reused many times. These copies are disguised as original apps through well-built app profiles in the Play Store. Profiles display attractive photos and attractive descriptions of apps along with high ratings. However, after a closer inspection, they tend to have numerous negative comments from users who have identified the applications as fraudulent or have fallen prey to fraud.
Moreover, fake Android apps are being advertised on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. These social media networks may not capture everything, so it is up to you to assess the risk before clicking on an ad for an attractive app.
Android device users have already downloaded these apps more than 10.5 million times. The good news is that Google has since banned any apps that were part of this specific campaign.
A list of apps removed from the Google Play store:
Ultima Keyboard 3D Pro
VideoMixer Editor Pro
FX Animate Editor Pro
Battery Animation Charge 2021
Dynamic HD & 4K Wallpapers
RGB Neon HD Keyboard Background
AppLock X FREE
NewVision Camera
Ultra Camera HD
Wi-Fi Password Unlock
Wi-Fi Around: All Wi-Fi and Hotspots Unlock
Colorful Call Screen & Phone Flash
Waterdrinker Reminder
GT Sports Racing Online
Magic Fonts and Keyboard 2021
All Language Photo and Voice Translator Al
Crime City: Revenge
Reface Ultra
Projector HD / AR Video Editor
LivePhoto Animator
Ludo Masterpiece Online
Mobile Scanner Pro: PDF Scanner App, Scan to PDF
Magic Mix Cut - Super Video Editor
Future Scanner FREE 2021
Pro Video Downloader 2021
AmazeTranslate
Football Masters 2021
New Body Shape Editor
Call Voice Recording 2.0
Pro Tuber Ad Blocker for Video
Fitness Ultimate 2021
Wallpaper XYZ Pro
You should check the full list of applications to make sure you do not have any on your phone. If you find any of the applications from that list on your phone, delete them immediately.
Other dangerous applications
It goes without saying that cheat apps will always enter the Play Store. Google Safeguards is not as secure as in the iOS App Store, and even the App Store has its problems. However, we see problems like this quite regularly in the Play Store, so Android users need to be careful.
