Uninstall now: These Android apps on Google Play are actually adware

Doctor Web’s latest monthly mobile threat report has identified several Android apps with more than 2 million installs that masquerade as gaming or productivity apps, but are actually adware.

Originally spotted by Bleeping Computer, the apps have since been removed from Google Play, but if you’ve downloaded any of them to your devices, make sure you remove them immediately.

The biggest culprit in this category is an app called Super Skibydi Killer, which has amassed over a million installs. The app promises a game where players assume the role of a “super assassin” and try to assassinate their enemy through a series of shooting games.

Once installed, Super Skibydi Killer and others try to “hide from users” by using transparent home screen icons or ones that look like the Google Chrome browser. “When users tap on such an icon, these Trojans launch the browser and continue to run in the background,” says Dr. Webb. Other programs that were part of this plan include Agent Shooter, Rainbow Stretch and Rubber Punch 3D.

Dr. Webb also found two Joker family apps on Google Play that subscribe users to paid services. One such app, Love Emoji Messenger, was downloaded 50,000 times. Another app, Beauty Wallpaper HD, had only about 1,000 downloads.

In addition to these, the site also found several fake programs that were being distributed as financial software for things like stock trading or home accounting, but in reality, were running scam sites where victims were encouraged to become investors. These programs include GazEndow Economic, MoneyMentor, FinancialFusion and Financial Vault.

Other games are advertised as games on Google Play. However, once installed, their main function is to load online casino websites. These games include Eternal Maze, Jungle Jewel, Star Secrets, Fire Fruits, Frontier Cowboy and Enchanted Elixir.

If you think you may have downloaded one of the apps in question, remove it immediately and scan the device using Play Protect as well as a mobile antivirus tool.