Antivirus company ESET announced that its specialists on Google Play detected a whole batch of malicious applications that masqueraded as universal remotes for TV and home appliances. Before the apps were removed from the store, more than 8 million users had downloaded them.
None of the nine apps fulfilled the functions stated in the description – instead, they displayed intrusive ads. All applications are authored by one developer – Tools4TV.
After downloading, each of these programs simulated connecting the remote to the device, then hiding its icon from the desktop and starting displaying advertisements.
In total, more than 8 million users were affected. Negative reviews did not bother them – for example, the most popular application was downloaded about 5 million times.
After contacting ESET, malicious applications were removed from Google Play.