New Android Malware Xamalicious Discovered, Avoid Downloading These Apps to Stay Safe

A New Android malware named ‘Xamalicious’ strikes approximately 338,300 Android devices. This recent discovery was made by McAfree researchers and has unveiled a dangerous Android backdoor malware wreaking through malicious apps distributed on the Google Play Store.

According to McAfee researchers, they identified ‘Xamalicious’ within 14 affected apps, three of which had already accumulated over 1,00,000 installs each before being swiftly removed from the Google Play Store. Although these apps are no longer visible in the Play Store, users who inadvertently installed them on their phones are strongly advised to delete them immediately.

Avoid Downloading These Android Apps

With a total of 338,300 infected devices, users are urged to manually inspect their devices for any signs of Xamalicious infections. Some of the widely installed Xamalicious-affected Android apps include

• Essential Horoscope for Android
• 3D Skin Editor for PE Minecraft
• Logo Maker Pro
• Auto Click Repeater
• Count Easy Calorie Calculator
• Dots: One Line Connector
• Sound Volume Extender

In addition to the apps on the Google Play Store, another group of 12 malicious apps carrying the Xamalicious threat is circulating on unauthorized third-party app stores. These apps pose a risk to users who download APK files from unofficial sources.

What are the precautionary measures to stay digitally safe?

In terms of safeguarding against the threat and similar malware users are strongly encouraged to adopt the following precautionary measures:

• Download Apps from official stores: Users should install apps from official app stores like Google Play as these platforms implement rigorous screening processes to minimize the risk.
• Check App permissions: Be cautious if an app requests unnecessary access to sensitive information or functionalities. And, review and scrutinize the permissions requested by an app before installing it.
• Regular update: Keep your Android devices updated as these updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities.
• Install Security Software: Users can adopt reputable mobile security software to provide an additional layer of protection against malware.
• Avoid third-party stores: One should refrain from downloading from third-party marketplaces and stick to the official stores to minimize the risk of encountering malicious apps.

Conclusion

The discovery of this new Android malware underscores the persistent challenges posed by evolving digital threats. In today's era of technology by staying informed and implementing these precautionary measures users can safeguard their devices against potential threats.