Sunday, February 9, 2020

Two Dozen Android Apps That You Must Uninstall Right Now For Your Safety

Android apps from a Chinese developer have reportedly found to be involved in malware and unethical activities. According to VPNpro, the apps ask for unnecessary data and permissions.

The report notes an app with the name, ‘Weather Forecast’ that was found collecting the user data and sending it to a server in China. Another app, Candy Selfie Camera, ask for permissions like:

Write external storage
Camera
Access coarse location (collecting users’ locations through Wifi or mobile phones.
Access fine location (most apps does not need this access, showing more precise location)
Read external storage
Read logs

‘Sound Recorder’ is another app that requests the access to the phone's camera. The VPNpro report traced the Chinese company, Shenzhen HAWK, which was found to be behind these apps. Many app developers are connected to it and not being able to identify the exact source might make it difficult to spot the sketchy apps.

Also read: Using Old iOS and Android phones can get your data hacked

Shenzhen HAWK is owned by an electronics company, TCL Corporation which is also partly state-owned. Some of other app that have been identified involved in malicious practices include:

Puzzle Box
Private Browser
Hi VPN Pro
World Zoo
Word Crossy!
Soccer Pinballa
Laser Break
Music Roam
Word Crush
File Manager
Joy Launcher
Turbo Browser
Weather Forecast
Candy Selfie Camera
Hi VPN, Free VPN
Candy Gallery
Calendar Lite
Super Battery
Net Master

To avoid any inconvenience and keep your mobile phones safe, it is better to uninstall these apps from your Android devices as soon as possible.

Read next: This WhatsApp bug can read into your PC files

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