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500,000 people downloaded QR code apps with embedded malware from Google Play

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Abservetech

Mar 27, 2018 · Updated Oct 17, 2026 · 2 min read ·15k

500,000 people downloaded QR code apps with embedded malware from Google Play

AI Summary

Android Malware is by all accounts all over. At regular intervals, we know about another arrangement of applications on the Google Play Store that have some sort of malware implanted in them, and this time around it appears like a progression of QR code per users might target accidental clients. The

Android Malware is by all accounts all over. At regular intervals, we know about another arrangement of applications on the Google Play Store that have some sort of malware implanted in them, and this time around it appears like a progression of QR code per users might target accidental clients.

The news arrives in a report from Sophos Labs, and it takes note of that upwards of seven QR code peruses on the Google Play Store may have been tainted with malware. Notwithstanding the QR code applications, one shrewd compass may have additionally been contaminated.

The malware itself is called Andr/HiddnAd-AJ, and as the name proposes, it fundamentally plays promotions on your telephone — in the wake of going underground for some time to “calm you into a misguided feeling that all is well and good.” The malware holds up six hours previously it springs vigorously and begins serving up full-screen advertisements and opening promotions on site pages. The malware likewise sends clients warnings with connections to advertisements.

As per Sophos, the noxious applications were downloaded upwards of 500,000 times previously Google expelled them from the Google PlayStore, and they could endure Google’s filtering by basically concealing the threatening code in what seemed to be general Android application code. In any event at first glance, the applications did what they promoted they could do. The QR code per users could, in any case, readQR codes, and in the event that you downloaded the applications for one utilise, just to erase them a while later, you probably never would have kept running into the promotions that the applications serve up. That, in addition to the way that the vindictive code didn’t jump start until 6 hours after establishment, helped the applications maintain a strategic distance from recognition.

Obviously, it’s reasonable the occurrence will enable Google to refine its malware checking process — so it’s completely conceivable that we won’t see applications like this once more. It’s additionally still prescribed that you keep utilising Google Play, if conceivable. While episodes like this do happen once in a while, the truth of the matter is that downloading applications from Google are far more secure than downloading them from outsider commercial centres.

“Numerous off-advertise Android application stores have no checks by any stretch of the imagination – they’re available to anybody, which can be helpful in case you’re searching for bizarre or very specific applications that wouldn’t make it onto Google Play (or endeavouring to distribute capricious substance),” said Sophos in its blog entry.

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Balakanna, Founder & COO of Abservetech

Balakanna

Founder & COO of Abservetech Private Limited

With over 12 years of experience in AI, blockchain, and software development, he has worked on 500+ product launches for businesses across different industries. His experience includes crypto exchange development, mobile app development, taxi booking apps, Airbnb clone apps, grocery delivery apps, blockchain solutions, AI agents, and RWA tokenization platforms.

He focuses on building simple, secure, and scalable digital products based on business needs. His goal is to help businesses build high-quality digital products that support long-term growth.

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