The Joker Virus which secretly drains victims' bank accounts has surfaced once more. Belgian Police have confirmed that the virus, which targets Android devices and hides in numerous applications on the Google Play Store has made a comeback.
This malware is capable of automatically subscribing users to payment systems and emptying their bank accounts without their consent.
"This malicious malware was found in eight Play Store applications that Google has prohibited," the Belgian police stated in a statement published on their website.
Origin of Joker virus
In 2017, the 'Joker' malware made headlines for infecting and stealing from people by hiding in several applications. Since then, Google Play Store defence systems have identified and eliminated over 1,700 apps that contain the 'Joker' malware before they are downloaded by users.
The 'Joker' virus was discovered in 24 Android applications in September 2020, with over 500 thousand downloads before being deactivated.
It is estimated that more than 30 countries were affected at the time, including the United States, Brazil, and Spain. Hackers could steal up to $ 7 per subscription per week through unauthorised subscriptions, a figure that has most certainly escalated in recent months.
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How does Joker malware works?
The 'Joker' Trojan virus belongs to a sophisticated family of malware with the purpose of hacking cell phone bills and authorising operations without the individual's consent.
The malware can enter text messages, contacts, and other information on the infected smartphone, according to researchers from the cybersecurity firm Quick Heal Security Lab.
The virus is more harmful than expected as it can automatically enrol the affected Android user in paid services, usually Premium or the most expensive version without their consent.
Apps infected with 'Joker' or similar Malware from this family carried out SMS fraud at first but soon turned their attention to online payments. These two methods take advantage of telephone providers' connectivity with vendors to make it easier to pay for services using a mobile phone bill.
Both require device verification but not human verification, allowing them to automate payments without requiring user participation.
Apps infected with Joker virus
Auxiliary Message, Element Scanner, Fast Magic SMS, Free, CamScanner, Go Messages, Super Message, Super SMS, and Travel Wallpapers have all been removed from the Google Play Store due to the Joker virus.
According to La Razon, a cybersecurity firm called Zscaler claims that the Joker malware is also present in these 16 apps- Private SMS, Hummingbird PDF Converter - Photo to PDF, Style Photo Collage, Talent Photo Editor - Blur focus, Paper Doc Scanner, All Good PDF Scanner, Care Message, Part Message, Blue Scanner, Direct Messenger, One Sentence Translator - Multifunctional Translator, Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message, Unique Keyboard - Fancy Fonts & Free Emoticons, Tangram App Lock, Desire Translate, Meticulous Scanner.