Beware Android users: These malicious 38 apps secretly run ads on your phone

The malicious apps continuously deliver suspicious advertisements from various domains to the user's device, even as nothing is seen on the screen.

These apps need to be uninstalled immediately (Image: Wilfried Pohnke/Pixabay)

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Beware, Android users! Your phone could be vulnerable if you have any of the following apps installed. According to a McAfee report, these apps were found to engage in shady activities on people’s devices.

The cybersecurity firm uncovered 38 apps that have been downloaded by over 35 million users worldwide. They all claim to provide Minecraft-like gaming experiences. Minecraft, which is a massively popular videogame title played predominantly on consoles and PC, also has a paid mobile version. The apps in question are trying to act as free alternatives to the original game.

For instance, McAfee conducted an analysis of the Block Box Master Diamond game, revealing that it continuously delivers dubious advertisements from various domains to the user’s device. This not only causes devices to slow down but also generates unjustified revenue for the game’s developer. What makes this scheme particularly cunning is that the user remains unaware of the constant stream of ads running in the background, as nothing is displayed on the game screen.

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Block Box Master Diamond had already amassed over 10 million downloads (Image: McAfee)

The apps, each with millions of downloads, are as follows:

Block Box Master Diamond
Craft Sword Mini Fun
Block Box Skyland Sword
Craft Monster Crazy Sword
Block Pro Forrest Diamond
Block Game Skyland Forrest
Block Rainbow Sword Dragon
Craft Rainbow Mini Builder
Block Forrest Tree Crazy
Craft Clever Monster Castle
Block Monster Diamond Dragon
Craft World Fun Robo
Block Pixelart Tree Pro
Craft Mini Lucky Fun
Block Earth Skyland World
Block Rainbow Monster Castle
Block Fun Rainbow Builder
Craft Dragon Diamond Robo
Block World Tree Monster

While it appears that Google Play Store has pulled down most of these apps, if not all of them, they can continue to perform malicious actions on your device as long as you’ve got them installed. This poses a serious security risk, so it is advised that you delete them as soon as possible.

According to McAfee’s report, malicious actors disguise malware as games to lure young people who are more likely to trust such games. The security firm advises users to check the ratings and reviews carefully before downloading any apps from the store and to keep their phones secure with the latest updates.

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cybersecurity