In a recent report by Doctor Web's analysts, it has been revealed that several malicious Android apps on Google Play have amassed over 2 million installs, pushing intrusive ads to users while concealing their presence on infected devices.

The analysis focused on trojans associated with the 'FakeApp,' 'Joker,' and the 'HiddenAds' malware families. Among them, four adware apps disguised as games were particularly alarming. These apps, known as HiddenAds, would hide by replacing their icons with that of Google Chrome or using transparent icon images to create empty space in the app drawer, keeping them undetected.

Once installed, these apps would run silently in the background, exploiting the browser to launch ads and generate revenue for their operators. Victims of the HiddenAds apps unknowingly contribute to this scheme without their knowledge.

Furthermore, the analysts discovered other malicious apps belonging to the FakeApp family, which would direct users to investment scam sites. Additionally, they found game apps that violated Google Play policies by loading dubious online casino websites.

Fortunately, at the time of writing, all the mentioned apps have been removed from Google Play. However, users who might have previously installed these apps are strongly advised to delete them immediately and perform a complete device scan using Play Protect and a reliable mobile antivirus tool.

In response to these findings, Dr. Web has published a list of hashes for all the malicious Android apps its analysts discovered last month on GitHub, enabling users to identify and avoid potential threats.

To prevent the download of malicious software from Google Play, users are encouraged to minimize the number of apps they install to the essentials, carefully read user reviews, and verify the trustworthiness of the app's publisher.

Protecting mobile devices from adware and malware requires vigilance and caution. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, users can help safeguard their devices and personal information from potential threats.