{"id":59131,"date":"2018-05-15T12:30:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T17:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/?p=59131"},"modified":"2018-05-15T12:30:44","modified_gmt":"2018-05-15T17:30:44","slug":"malicious-apps-return-google-play-simple-name-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcmatic.com\/blog\/malicious-apps-return-google-play-simple-name-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Malicious Apps Return to Google Play with Simple Name Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apps Riddled with Malware Return to Google Play Store<\/h3>\n

On a regular basis, app stores are conducting security scans on potential apps to ensure their legitimacy.\u00a0 They do this for a couple reasons.\u00a0 First, app stores do not want their platform to be used as a breeding ground for malicious activity.\u00a0 Secondly, the store will lose credibility with users if they’re allowing malicious apps to be distributed within their store.\u00a0 Although, there have been times malicious activity has slipped through the cracks, and it has happened again.<\/p>\n

Recently the Google Play Store’s security has failed.\u00a0 Tremendously.\u00a0 For a reason, still unclear to the public, the Google Play Store allowed several malicious apps back into their Store, with a simple name change of the program and publisher.\u00a0 This means, none of the malicious coding was changed.\u00a0 Therefore, if the security teams and\/or software scanners, were working as they should — these apps should have been easily blocked, as the coding was previously identified as malicious.\u00a0 However, that was not the case.<\/p>\n

That malicious apps, disguised as productivity apps, have been removed from the Google Play Store.\u00a0 At this time, no specific application names are being disclosed.\u00a0 According to Engadget<\/a>, Google has yet to comment.<\/p>\n

Keeping Your Android Device Protected<\/h4>\n

It is important users keep their mobile devices, both tablets and smart phones, protected from malicious software.\u00a0 Often times users will keep just as much personal information on mobile devices, as they do on laptops or desktops, yet do not think to install a security solution on them.<\/p>\n

Existing PC Matic consumers have the ability to add Android devices to their existing license, assuming they have not filled up all five device slots on their license.\u00a0 To do so, users must:<\/p>\n