Android users may want to sit down for this: a new malware is in the testing phase and could be capable of taking over your phone. Masked as the Google Play Store, the GPlayed malware is poised to be incredibly impactful to infected devices.
GPlayed mimics the Google Play Store and allows hackers to control and see every aspect of your phone. The experts at Cisco Talos are concerned about the potential capabilities of this malware saying it could be “extremely powerful.”
This malware can act as a spying tool. It does it by reading messages, displaying call logs, and even erasing everything on the infected device.
It can also gather other valuable data like banking information and passwords. This virus is a complete trojan that can perform any task the hacker desires.
While all this is bad, the most disturbing information experts provide is the fact that GPlayed malware is flexible. It can be adapted by the hacker already installed on the device without requiring the user to upgrade the malicious app.
The positive news is the GPlayed malware is likely still in its testing phase. And it has yet to be fully rolled out to attack Android users on a grand scale.
Thus, there’s time to consider new protection methods for your device and learn more about the process of removing malware.
Feeling Safe as an Android User
The recent trend for users to download apps from developers rather than app stores has led to more opportunities for malware dispersion. Even app stores are not entirely safe, as viruses have spread from fraudulent apps downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Now is the time to take advanced precautions to protect your Android device from being infected by aggressive malware like GPlayed. There are steps you can take to feel confident your device is safe. It is even possible to remove malware if you do experience a cyber-attack.
Users should always download apps from a trusted source. However, even the Google Play Store is not immune to serving as a portal for malware attacks.
It’s essential to download an advanced security tool that searches apps and files for malicious content. Security software can protect against invasion via apps, websites, and email phishing schemes.
Unfortunately, we are faced with the necessity to use an unsecured Wi-Fi from time to time. Waiting at the airport or online shopping at the coffee shop pose extreme risks for malicious virtual attacks to occur. Finding the best VPN (Virtual Private Network) for Android is key to using unsecured Wi-Fi confidently. Installing a VPN allows for the encrypted transmission of information, even over an unsecured network.
Removing Malicious Malware from an Android
In the event you find your device has been infected by malware, all is not lost. It’s possible to remove malware from your Android device.
First, you should download and install quality anti-virus software to your device. Ideally, this step occurs as soon as you get your device, keeping you safe from attacks from the get-go. However, it can also detect infections in hindsight if necessary.
Users tend to think that the security software included with Android devices, Google Play Protect, is enough to keep them safe from attacks.
Sadly, testing has shown that the software is only effective around half the time. Downloading a more powerful security tool is worth the time and is a minimal cost to ensure your Android device is safe.
Once your security software is downloaded, it can scan your device from files to apps to detect potential malware. If you see something unusual, search the internet to see if it’s indeed a malware and remove the file or app as indicated.
Users should beware that even the best security tools can mistakenly identify a safe file as malware.
Thus, you should research the file or app before allowing the tool to delete it.
Security software is the easiest way to remove a malicious file or application. However, some users prefer not to use it. Alternately, users can manually remove apps or files that are believed to be malware.
Uninstalling the app or deleting the file will remove the malware from your Android device. At times, the malware has taken over administration privileges, making it appear impossible for users to uninstall an app. In such cases, the settings must be reset to allow the user to uninstall the app altogether.
Be Aware and Keep Your Android Safe
The introduction of an advanced and malicious malware like GPlayed should be a wake-up call for Android users across the globe. Take steps to ensure your phone is protected and remove any malware that is already present.
