The freedom and possibilities that come with the Android platform unfortunately also mean malicious people who are always up to no good will always try to find ways to defraud or generally just be a nuisance to ordinary unsuspecting users.
This can be clearly illustrated in the most recent case whereby the Police (yes, you read that right) in Belgium are urging users to delete eight apps from their smartphones and tablets after Google removed the offending apps from the Play Store in a fresh ban.
The eight applications in question contain the dangerous “Joker” malware, which is capable of wreaking havoc on any phone that it infects.
The Belgium police further warn that removing the apps from the Play Store will protect more people from installing the malware, but it does nothing to help those who have already mistakenly downloaded the dangerous applications.
Once installed on your device, the Joker malware has the ability to install hidden spyware and premium diallers onto devices. This will in turn sign up unsuspecting users to expensive monthly subscription plans.
Reports suggest that in the past, some victims of the Joker malware found themselves paying in excess of 240 pounds a year (around Kshs 36,000) for these fraudulent subscriptions.
The Belgium police put the following notice on their website: “Warning! The Joker virus is back in the Android environment. This malware has been spotted in 8 apps from the Play Store which have meanwhile been withdrawn by Google, but if you have already installed one, remove it as soon as possible.”
Researchers at cybersecurity company Quick Heal Security Lab have confirmed that the latest iteration of the Joker virus can get access to text messages, contacts and a lot of other personnel information on smartphones.
The following is the list of the 8 applications that are currently confirmed to be affected by the Joker virus;
- Auxiliary Message
- Element Scanner
- Fast Magic SMS
- Free CamScanner
- Go Messages
- Super Message
- Great SMS
- Travel Wallpapers
The origin of the Joker virus can be traced back to 2019, but it seems like it is making an unwelcome comeback, with security researchers revealing that they have witnessed a “large uptick” in applications that come packed with the nasty Joker malware.
“Joker trojans are malicious Android applications that have been known since 2017 for notoriously performing bill fraud and subscribing users to premium services,” explained Zimperium, a security firm. “The outcome of a successful mobile infection is financial gain for the cybercriminal, oftentimes under the nose of the victim until long after the money is gone, with little to no recourse for recovery.”
Simple tips to keep your Android device safe
Try to stick to the following simple guidelines in order to minimize chances of your Android device getting infected with the Joker malware or any other virus;
- Always download applications from trusted sources like the Google Play Store
- Never click on foreign links received through your messaging platform or any other social media platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp.
- Turn off the ability to install applications from unknown sources.
- Always read the pop-up messages you get from the Android system before accepting or allowing any new permissions.
