Cash stealing bug hits Google Play

The security researchers of a security firm Lookout  have found 32 apps that provided shelter for a bug called BadNews.The malware steals cash by sending premium rate text messages.BBC reports say that,android owners from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries in eastern Europe were affected.

Reliable sources have reported that these 32 apps were available from four developer accounts. Google has immediately cross checked those applications and suspended the accounts of those developers.The applications which consisted of this malware titled BadNews were removed from Play Store.

The affected applications installed AlphaSMS which is automated to use premium numbers in Russia,  Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia and Kazakhstan.

So, we recommend to cross check the developer details and app reputation before downloading a application to avoid such potential risks you might face in future. Hope Google takes care before approving apps by making few stringent rules and see that in future there won’t be such bug in PlayStore.

Credit for image: Katie M Westbrook, from The Noun Project