Malware On Google Play Subscribe Victims On SMS Service

Google Play researchers have discovered Android malware that tries to subscribe victims of costly SMS services. The malware was late last year noted for the first time, but was then distributed only through unofficial marketplace. Now the malware surfaced in Google Play.

Once the malware is actively attempting to subscribe users to costly SMS services. These services require that a CAPTCHA code solved. To this end the malware using Antigate.com, an online service where people CAPTCHA codes solve fee.The code is then dissolved the victim subscribed to the SMS service.

The malware was found to be hiding in different apps. Two of these apps were downloaded between 100,000 and 500,000 times, reports the Romanian antivirus company BitDefender. In total there are seven apps, of which several versions are always placed in Google Play. Google would now be informed of the malicious apps.