Malicious software detected that steals data in 500 applications

We regularly tell you about some malware or malicious application that affects Android. An integrated software kit has now been found in many applications dedicated to stealing user data. And that data is sent to a Chinese company. There are already 500 applications affected by this software.

Malicious software detected that steals data in 500 applications

All of these applications were available on Google Play. In fact, it is estimated that they have already been downloaded about 100 million times. So the existing risk is quite high. The problem lies with the Chinese company Igexin. Origin of this malicious software.

Malicious software on Android

After months of research by Lookout, Igexin has been confirmed as the source of the problem. Apparently, the Chinese company was using legitimate SDK functions to send malicious commands to applications. And it could be seen in the research that the SDK collected all kinds of data from users who installed some of those applications.

After the investigation was complete, they contacted Google. So the apps were disabled from Google Play. Reason why no user can download any of them. So it appears that the risk no longer exists for users currently.

At no time have the names of the problematic applications been mentioned. Although a generic list has been given in which SDK has a presence. Most are applications for young people, although we can also find others such as weather applications, games or camera applications. The good part is that it seems that the 500 applications are not already present. Although it is not known what will happen to user data.