Skip to main content

Google Play Store junks malicious beauty camera Android apps that stole pictures

Google took down a total of 29 malicious apps for Android that were advertised on the Google Play Store as beauty camera applications, but carried out activities such as stealing the user’s pictures.

The apps were discovered by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro, which said that some of them have already been downloaded millions of times. A large number of the downloads were from users in Asia, particularly in India. In total, the 29 malicious Android apps were downloaded over 4 million times before they were removed from the Google Play Store, with three of them accounting for over 3 million downloads.

Recommended Videos

Trend Micro said that after downloading one of the malicious apps, users will not suspect anything wrong until they try to delete it. One example is a package that will hide the app’s icon to make it more difficult to uninstall it. The apps also used compression archives, also known as packers, to make them hard to analyze. There was also no indication that the apps were the ones behind the issues that users suddenly experienced.

Some of the malicious apps load full-screen advertisements for fraudulent or pornographic content each time the Android device is unlocked. Others will forward users to phishing websites that will try to steal sensitive information. Some of the attempts to steal contact details of users were disguised as pages for claiming prizes. Trend Micro also discovered that an adult video player, advertised by the apps, did not play any content after it was purchased.

One of the more alarming activities of the malicious Android apps was requesting for users to upload pictures to “beautify” them. The images were uploaded to a private server, and instead of a filtered photo, the app displayed a message that said an update was required. Trend Micro believes that the pictures were stolen, and used for purposes such as making fake social media accounts.

This is far from the first time that security problems were discovered in Android apps. Last year, there were apps that tracked children’s personal data, secretly recorded the smartphone’s screen, and attempted to phish cryptocurrency logins. As always, users can help protect themselves and their sensitive information from malicious apps by only downloading Google Play Store apps made by trusted developers and publishers.

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received an NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was four years old, and he has been fascinated…
Google proposes big changes for the future of Search and Android apps
Google Chrome on an Android phone.

Google’s ongoing antitrust tussle spawned a list of sweeping policy suggestions — including a proposed sale of the Chrome business — by the Department of Justice. The focus of the lawsuit centers on the Search monopoly, but it has serious ramifications for Android and the overall browser situation.

Now, Google has shared its own “remedies proposal” to the DOJ’s recommendations, which it claims are going “far beyond what the Court’s decision is actually about.”

Read more
It just got a lot easier to see what pictures are in your Google Photos albums
New Albums section in file details in Google Photos.

Google Photos is one of those apps that seems to constantly get new features. The updates aren't always game-changing, but they're much appreciated nonetheless. Google Photos is getting another such update in the form of a new "Albums" section that will be available when viewing a photo or video.

When looking at a photo/video in Google Photos, swipe up to view the details. Above the "Location" section, you should now see a new "Albums" area indicating which album that file is a part of.  You'll see the album name and how many items are in it. You can also tap the album to be taken straight to it.

Read more
Here’s how your Android phone could help stop your motion sickness
Someone holding the Google Pixel 9 with the screen on.

Motion sickness — also called kinetosis — is a common problem. In fact, as many as one in three people have felt sick while in a vehicle. For those who suffer from it, reading in the car is practically impossible.

Apple introduced a feature that helps those prone to motion sickness use their phones without the accompanying nausea. Now, Google is working on a similar feature for Android phones.

Read more