Google drops 42 malicious Android apps from Play store

It looks like Google just can’t catch a break from bad apps on the Play store. A few weeks ago, the search engine giant had dropped 15 malevolent applications that never delivered the promised service, but flashed annoying full-page ads and ruined the Android experience on mobile.

Now, ESET security researchers have uncovered 42 adware-laced applications on the Play store. All of them come with malicious ‘Android/AdDisplay.Ashas’ file code.

They appear and work normal, but once the app is launched, it starts to communicate with its C&C (command & ) server (whose IP address is base64-encoded in the app). And, it sends “home” key data about the affected device: