Skip to main content

Google issues malware-flushing security update, remotely removes malicious apps

Google hit a bit of a rough patch last week when it was learned that a large number of malware-infected apps were being sold by publisher Myournet on Android Market. The publisher and its products were quickly removed, but the damage had already been done: the 58 removed apps were downloaded roughly 260,000 times before they went away, TechCrunch reports.

Other than the app removal, which happened within minutes of the news hitting the Internet, Google remained relatively quiet on the issue until last night. This was likely to give the internal development team time to engineer a fix, which they have. Android Security Lead Rich Canning laid out the details in an update on the Google Mobile Blog last night.

Recommended Videos

A security update will be (or likely already has been) pushed to all of those devices that downloaded one or more of the problem apps. Google is sending e-mails out to the security update recipients “over the next 72 hours” to inform them of the mandatory update, which requires no action on the user side. At the same time, Google is also enacting one of its security controls to remotely remove all of the malicious apps from affected devices. If you’ve got one of the problem apps and haven’t removed it yet, it’s going to automatically be done for you. Sometimes, having Big Brother always watching isn’t such a bad thing.

Canning also writes, “We are adding a number of measures to help prevent additional malicious applications using similar exploits from being distributed through Android Market and are working with our partners to provide the fix for the underlying security issues,” though exactly what those measures are isn’t detailed.

The malware is believed to have only gathered device-specific information, though it contained code that could have allowed for the download of more potentially harmful data without a user’s knowledge. Devices with Android version 2.2.2 or higher were also not affected, as the malicious software takes advantage of exploits that were only present in earlier versions. That said, if you’re running a “safe” version and do somehow happen to still have one of the affected apps… it might be a good idea to remove it.

Adam Rosenberg
Former Gaming/Movies Editor
Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…
Google boosts Android security against unknown tracking devices
Unknown tracker alert for Android.

Google is adding a couple of new features to Android’s safety alert system that will help users find unknown trackers moving with them. The new features cover all tags and tracking devices that support Google’s Find My Device service for locating lost hardware.

The first one is Find Nearby. This one will help users locate any hidden tracker. For example, if your Android phone flashes an unknown tracker alert, you can check for its presence using the Play Sound feature.

Read more
Your Google Maps app is about to look different. Here’s what’s changing
Screenshot of the new teal color in the Google Maps app.

If you own an Android device such as a Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 9 Pro, there is a small design update coming to the Google Maps app that aims to enhance its visual appearance and user experience. The app will be adopting a new interface color scheme, which could make navigation and interaction feel fresher.

As first reported by 9to5Google, Google Maps is set to change its signature blue accent for buttons and other user interface elements to a dark shade of teal.

Read more
Google is preparing a cool new feature for its Pixel Recorder app
The Voice Recorder app running on the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Smartphones are great tools for voice recording, whether it’s a simple voice memo or even an interview. If you have a Pixel phone, then the Pixel Recorder app is about to get a lot more useful with a new “Clear Voice” feature discovered in the latest update's Android Package Kit (APK).

With Clear Voice, the Pixel Recorder app will “reduce background noise while recording for clearer speech playback.” Basically, it will keep human speech while removing unwanted and distracting background noise. The feature was found via 9to5Google in some strings in version 4.2.20241001.701169069 of the Pixel Recorder app.

Read more