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Joker Virus
Threats and malware attacks are bound to occur as the technology advances. Over the years, we have seen several malicious malware attacking Android and effecting smartphone users through various means and getting hold of vast data and important information. FakeDolphin horses, Adware, Spyware. GinMaster, Exobot, and FakeInst are some of the major threats that Android folks have suffered over the years.
In 2017, we saw a new form of threat known as the ‘Joker Virus’. Joker virus was a spyware that was designed to steal sensitive data from the user mobile phone such as SMS messages, contact files, and device information along with silently signing up the victim for premium wireless application protocol (WAP) services. The virus came in via Google play store targeted applications. As soon as Google was notified of these suspicious apps, the security team took down the application from the Playstore and mitigated the threat quickly. Since the day of its release, Google defense system is working tirelessly and till date has removed around 1,700 apps with the ‘Joker’ malware before they were downloaded by users. But once again, Joker Virus has returned to compromise the security of your phones, so be careful!
As per reports from the Belgium cyber department, the Joker Virus has returned to Android and is hidden in 8 different applications that we will tell you about. They also added that this form of virus can steal information as well as can subscribe hacked devices to online paid services and empty your bank accounts.
The applications that are infected with the Joker Virus are listed below:
- Auxiliary Message
- Element Scanner
- Fast Magic SMS
- Free CamScanner
- Go Messages
- Super Message
- Super SMS
- Travel Wallpapers
Google has warned its users that it has detected the applications and is working on to remove them from the Playstore. Meanwhile if any user has installed them, they must quickly uninstall them from their devices as precautionary measure.
Let’s see how Joker Virus actually works. Joker Virus belongs to family of malwares named ‘Bread’ whose major target is to gain access of the smartphone without the knowledge and consent of the user. Usually they are hidden in form of applications and once installed; they instantly gain access to your credentials, SMS, and contact files. The dangerous aspect is that they can make your money spend by illegally subscribing to the online paid services.
If you have installed any of the above mentioned application, remove them as soon as possible and download only trusted app from Playstore only.