Belgian Police warns smartphone users: The Joker virus is back with these 8 Android apps

NEW DELHI: The Belgian Police recently warned Android app users about the return of the ‘Joker’ virus. One of the most persistent viruses, Joker attacks Android devices and hides itself in various apps on the Google Play Store. This virus is said to be capable of subscribing the user to payment services without their authorisation. “This malicious program has been detected in eight Play Store applications that Google has suppressed,” the Belgian Police said in a statement published on its website. Incidentally, these 8 apps are the same that researchers at Quick Heal Security Labs detected in June this year. Google removed these apps from the Play Store after it was informed of the malware. However, Android users need to remove these apps from their smartphones. And as Belgian authorities’ recent warning shows there are users who still have these apps on their devices and are becoming victims of the Joker malware.
The list of Android apps affected by the Joker virus:
* Auxiliary Message
* Element Scanner
* Fast Magic SMS
* Free CamScanner
* Go Messages
* Super Message
* Super SMS
* Travel Wallpapers
Joker is one of the most persistent malware that continually targets Android devices. It was first detected in the year 2017. According to researchers at Quick Heal, Joker steals users’ data, including SMS, contact list, device info, OTPs and more. “You risk a big surprise at the end of the month in your bank account or on your credit card,” said the Belgian police, warning of the app as it subscribes the affected Android user to paid services, usually Premium ones without them actually getting to know.