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Google & Apple took too long to kick out these shady apps but Android users should be okay

Updated: Sep 26, 2022, 6:38 PM

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Malicious apps downloaded on 13 million Apple & Google devices but Android users can rest easy

Apple and Google have kicked out another wave of fraudulent apps from their respective app stores that had been downloaded several million times.

Bleeping Computer reports that cybercrime fighters from HUMAN’s Satori team have discovered a new adware operation called Scylla, which seems to be related to the malicious Poseidon campaign that was being run in 2019.

Adware is unwanted software that makes money for its developers by generating ads on your screen and making you engage with them. Some forms of adware may create an open door for more dangerous programs.

Apparently, 75 apps related to Scylla were found on Google's Play Store and 10 on Apple's App Store. Before being removed, they were downloaded 13 million times. If you want to check if you have any of them on your phone, here are the names of the ones that were downloaded the most:

iOS apps associated with Scylla that have been removed by Apple:

Loot the Castle
Run Bridge
Shinning Gun
Racing Legend 3D
Rope Runner
Wood Sculptor
Fire-Wall
Ninja Critical Hit
Tony Runs

Android apps linked with Scylla that have been booted off Google's Play Store

Super Hero-Save the world
Spot 10 Differences
Find 5 Differences
Dinosaur Legend
One Line Drawing
Shoot Master
Talent Trap – NEW
Pulley Parkour
Chop Flake 3D
Weapon Fantasy
Balloon Shooter
Musical Shoot
Chop Slices
Ninja Slice
Work Now!
Bottle Jump
Corn Scraper
Idle Wood Maker
Pop Girls Schooler
Romy Rush
Spear Hero
Dig Road Balls
BOO Popstar
Draw CompleteA
Rush 2048：3D Shoot Cubes
Meet Camera
Auto Stamp Camera
Roll Turn
Hiding Draw
Peter Shoot
Design n Road
Draw Complete
Thief King
Downhill Race
Draw a War
Rescue Master
Spin:Letter Roll
Helicopter Attack - NEW
Crush Car
Relx cash
War in Painting
Bike Extreme Racing
Player Spiral Maker 3D
Match 3 Tiles
2048 Merge Cube - Win Cash
Super Flake
Arrow Coins
Parking Master
Five-Star Slice
Sand Drawing
Mr Dinosaur: Play your Dino
Track Sliding New
Beat Kicker New
Fill Color 3D
Draw Live
Draw 1 Stroke
Fidget Cubes
Girls Fight
Ninja Assassin
Shooting Puzzle 2020
Lady Run
Magic Brush 3D
Shake Shake Sheep
Number Combination: Colored Chips
Jackpot Scratcher-Win Real
Scratch Carnival
Ztime:Earn cash rewards easily
One Line Drawing
Shoot it: Using Gun
Billionaire Scratch
Lucky Wings - Lotto Scratchers
Lucky Star: Lotto Scratch
Shake Shake Pig
Lucky Money Tree
Run And Dance
Lucky Scratchers: Lotto Card
Pull Worm
Crowd Battle:Fight the bad guys
Shoot Dummy - Win Rewards & Paypal Cash

The good news for Android users who have the Play Protect security option enabled is that the apps will probably be deleted automatically. Apple users will likely have to delete them manually.

Scylla apps adopt measures to avoid detection and run quietly in the background. A rapidly depleting battery, the appearance of apps that you don't remember downloading, and increased internet data usage are some of the signs that your phone is infected with adware.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.