Google pulls hidden malware apps from Android market

Google has pulled a handful of Android apps from its Market in response to recent news of malware and viruses hidden in unscrupulous apps.

These would then give access to sensitive personal information on your phone, from text messages, browsing history, and all sorts of things you’d prefer to keep to yourself.

The list of apps, shown below, were all made by ironically named Myournet, and are mostly cheap knock-offs of popular titles, which look deceptively like the original, albeit with hidden malware nastiness.

Although they have now been unlisted from the Android Market and remotely erased from phones carrying the app, this doesn’t remove the malware code on the phone.

From our research, there’s no easy cure. If possible, switch phones- and definitely avoid banking and other security sensitive things through your phone. Here’s the full blacklist. And we really wanted to play 几何战机 PewPew…

* Falling Down
* Super Guitar Solo
* Super History Eraser
* Photo Editor
* Super Ringtone Maker
* Super Sex Positions
* Hot Sexy Videos
* Chess
* 下坠滚球_Falldown
* Hilton Sex Sound
* Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
* Falling Ball Dodge
* Scientific Calculator
* Dice Roller
* 躲避弹球
* Advanced Currency Converter
* App Uninstaller
* 几何战机_PewPew
* Funny Paint
* Spider Man
* 蜘蛛侠

 

UPDATE: Here’s even more infected apps reported by the Guardian

(Published by Kingmall2010): • Bowling Time • Advanced Barcode Scanner • Supre Bluetooth Transfer • Task Killer Pro • Music Box • Sexy Girls: Japanese • Sexy Legs • Advanced File Manager • Magic Strobe Light • 致命绝色美腿 • 墨水坦克Panzer Panic • 裸奔先生Mr. Runner • 软件强力卸载 • Advanced App to SD • Super Stopwatch & Timer • Advanced Compass Leveler • Best password safe • 掷骰子 • 多彩绘画

(Published by we20090202) • Finger Race • Piano • Bubble Shoot • Advanced Sound Manager • Magic Hypnotic Spiral • Funny Face • Color Blindness Test • Tie a Tie • Quick Notes • Basketball Shot Now • Quick Delete Contacts • Omok Five in a Row • Super Sexy Ringtones • 大家来找茬 • 桌上曲棍球 • 投篮高手

Check our earlier article for tips on how to play it safe with Android apps. The short version, use common sense.