iPhone 14, Android phone users, BEWARE! Delete these 75 apps right now

More than 75 malicious apps found in App Store and Google Play Store. Protect your iPhone 14, other older iPhones, as well as Android phones by deleting these apps now.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Sep 27 2022, 13:40 IST

Top 5 most downloaded apps on Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Scam — 1/6 TikTok was the top downloaded app in the first half of 2021. While on Apple’s App Store it was the most downloaded app, on the Play Store it was the second most downloaded app. The app saw the most downloads worldwide across both app stores, reaching about 384.6 million. (Pixabay)

image caption — 2/6 Facebook was the second most downloaded app globally. While on the App Store it was the sixth most downloaded app, on the Play Store it was the most downloaded app. (Pixabay)

If you're an iPhone or Android phone user, you need to pay attention! Your precious smartphone might have apps that are filled with malicious adware and are engaging in fraud campaigns. According to a security firm, as many as 75 apps from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have been detected that contain malicious apps. These apps are known for blasting the user's phone with visible and hidden advertisements. While they are not considered the most severe threat, the hackers behind these apps can use it to drop malware, malicious app extensions and even ransomware to the user's device. Whether you're using the latest iPhone 14 or an Android phone, you would not want these apps to prey on you. Know the names of the apps below and delete them immediately.

The incident was reported by Bleeping Computer which stated, “Security researchers have discovered 75 applications on Google Play and another ten on Apple's App Store engaged in ad fraud. Collectively, they add to 13 million installations. Apart from flooding mobile users with advertisements, both visible and hidden, the fraudulent apps also generated revenue by impersonating legitimate apps and impressions”.

Massive adware outbreak on App Store, Play Store

This adware outbreak was identified by researchers from HUMAN's Satori Threat Intelligence. These apps are part of an ad fraud campaign named Scylla. The researchers have revealed that Scylla is the third wave of an operation which was first detected in August 2019 and called ‘Poseidon' back then. While their primary motive is to generate money by impersonating real apps and impressions and running a high volume of ads. These ads are often full display ads and notification ads that are activated even when the user has not opened the scam app.

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But this is not the full extent of what these apps can do. There is evidence that the hackers behind similar apps have also used it to drop malware and ransomware using the apps. While after a report, both Google and Apple have removed it from their respective app market, these apps can still function if they haven't been deleted from the smartphone. Check the full list below and delete them now: immediately if your device has them.

Apple App Store app list: