17 malware apps removed from Google Play Store for stealing sensitive user data

Amid the prevailing risk of a crucial privacy breach and unwanted access to personal data, Google Play Store has decided to ban 17 apps from its platform. According to a cybersecurity firm, these apps were containing a malicious malware which was sending sensitive information of the users of those apps insidiously.

As per information cited by Zcaler’s Viral Gandhi the ‘Joker malware’ was designed to steal personal SMS, contact information along with device information. It was also signing up the users for premium wireless application services (WAP) without their knowledge.

Zscaler also said that till now almost 1,20,000 downloads of those 17 apps did take place from the play store which were infected by the snooping malware.