Four different apps on Google Play were found to carry the joker malware and could infect user devices once downloaded. The four apps were free and have been downloaded by over 100,000 people.

Pradeo Warns Users of Four Apps that Carry the Joker Malware

According to the story by Fast Company, Android owners might want to check their devices to see if they have downloaded either one of the four apps known to carry the malware. A certain cyber security company noted that they have discovered a handful of apps that were carrying the joker malware and embedded them on an Android phone.

A blog post by Pradeo warned users to delete four different apps from their devices. Google has already removed the four apps on its Google Play store.

Here are the apps that were found carrying the malware:

• Smart SMS Messages

• Blood Pressure Monitor

• Voice Languages Translator

• Quick Text SMS

How Does the Joker Malware Work?

The article describes the Joker malware as a type of "fleeceware" that subscribes infected devices towards certain unwanted paid services. The malware also sends SMS messages and even makes calls to certain premium numbers without the owner of the phone ever knowing.

By making calls and sending SMS messages, the owner's bill could rake up and hackers receive a cut of the bill. The practice is also known as "toll fraud."

The Joker Malware Uses as Little Code as Possible to Make It Harder to Detect

The statement by Pradeo noted that by using as little code as possible and by thoroughly hiding it, the Joker malware generates a very discreet footprint that can be hard to detect. Over the last three years, the malware was spotted hiding in thousands of apps.

Victims of the joker malware reportedly notice the frauding whenever they receive their mobile phone invoice a few weeks after it started. The company also announced that they have found Joker in at least 11 other Android apps.

Joker Malware Could Install Other Applications that are the Source of More Dangerous Malware

The apps, like other types of malware, are designed to install other applications to the infected phones. These other applications could even be the source of additional, more dangerous malware.

The joker malware has been around for a while but as of recent, its footprint has been growing. Kaspersky resrearchers note that the malware has even become advanced enough to be able to bypass bot-detection mechanisms used on paid services.

Read Also: Microsoft Releases Warning for 'Raspberry Robin' Threat: Infected Networks Objectives Unknown

Toll Fraud has been a Problem Ever Since 2017

Microsoft also recently published an extensive warning regarding the joker malware and other types of malware that practice toll fraud. As per the company, toll fraud has been considered "one of the most prevalent types of Android malware in Google Play Store since 2017."

Pradeo discovered that the apps look legitimate enough on Google Play listing to trick people into thinking they are legitimate.

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Written by Urian B.