• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Apps Malware Posing As Useful Android Apps!!!

I have been using the Android OS on a number of phones for some years now and over this time of exposure to this environment, I come across and used many Android APKs, a few, sadly, have served me quite very well, to say the least.

I have reason however to lament over the issue of of the INFILTRATION and PROLIFERATION of numerous Malware Posing As Useful Android Applications on the Platform. I don't know how many times I've had to completely RESET my phones at different times just for the sake of GETTING RID OF MALWARE and worse still, COERCIVE ADVERTS popping up indescretiously and drawing themselves either partially or all over the screen, programmed by their unethical and immoral developers to avoid/bypass the phone's BACK and STANDBY keys!

You hear it all over the place about most Android OS and APKs/Apps developed by individuals and groups being free to download and use, so these software have the "Divine Excuse" to carry and showcase Advertisements which when responded to, result in one type of reward or the other to the developer(s).
I have been worried, and wondered so many times over, in the face of these discomforts, if the Google Organisation, which developed the Android OS in the first place, is really aware of such issues on its Play Store galactic system, and if it does, if it is really doing something (effectual) about it?

In my beginning years in the study of Software Development, I don't ever remember being induced to develop Computer Software that does other than what it's been programmed to work at, i.e. help solve problems and enhance productivity wherever it's deployed, as well as enable the user of the Program access a certain level of contentment from what they've used the Program to achieve!

In reality, relative to my country Ghana, what do I experience from these Intentionally Warped APKs/Apps?
1. Overheating phones
2. Freezing phones
3. Frequent recharging of phones
4. Malware attacks of different orientations, in foxy disguises
and so and so forth!

One one thing I'd like to tell the Google/Android OS Organisation is this, among many others, that Android OS IS NOT HELPING IN THE CONSERVATION OF ELECTRICITY IN GHANA one bit (I don't know of other countries)! Google Organisation can do far more than evolving newer and newer versions of it renowned but over-abused OS.

Unless it's already doing so, I'm expecting the Organisation to extend some Disciplinary Oversight onto the Android APK development galaxy and really demand the production and presentation of ONLY THE VERY BEST AND PRODUCTIVE SOFTWARE on its platforms - even if for free! No counter-productive APKs forthwith!

It must be understood that people don't dish out their Dollars, Yens, Euros, Pounds Sterling and Ghana Cedis to buy Android devices to expose them to the hazards and inconveniences of malware for the fun of it.
 
Interesting points. Unfortunately malware is a fact of life, and it's not a problem specific to Android. Just look at the legion of viruses aimed at Windows, and the anti-virus protection needed on that platform to ensure the system isn't inundated with problems.
At least with Android apps, there's a vetting process, in the form of Google Play. You can have some degree of confidence that apps obtained from there aren't going to harm you. You also have more confidence from the app review process. I'm sure any malicious apps would soon be detected, and taken off the store pretty quickly. I think people put themselves at far greater risk by loading apps from other sources than the Google Play store.
 
Just to be clear, this is a discussion forum for Android users. We have no connection with Google, so while you may get advice here based on other people's experience, posting here will not communicate your concerns to Google.

To be honest there have only been a few cases I can think of where actual malware has made it into the Play Store. If you do find a trojan (malware hidden in an app) in the Play Store you should of course report the app to Google immediately.

Ads are a different matter, and there are certainly apps that are too intrusive with these, though the most intrusive types of ads were banned a couple of years ago. I would always uninstall an app where ads are excessive, though I personally prefer to pay for an app rather than have ads. If an app posts ads that interfere with other apps then you should report it, because that is supposed to be banned.
 
Interesting points. Unfortunately malware is a fact of life, and it's not a problem specific to Android. Just look at the legion of viruses aimed at Windows, and the anti-virus protection needed on that platform to ensure the system isn't inundated with problems.
At least with Android apps, there's a vetting process, in the form of Google Play. You can have some degree of confidence that apps obtained from there aren't going to harm you. You also have more confidence from the app review process. I'm sure any malicious apps would soon be detected, and taken off the store pretty quickly. I think people put themselves at far greater risk by loading apps from other sources than the Google Play store.

Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Just to be clear, this is a discussion forum for Android users. We have no connection with Google, so while you may get advice here based on other people's experience, posting here will not communicate your concerns to Google.

To be honest there have only been a few cases I can think of where actual malware has made it into the Play Store. If you do find a trojan (malware hidden in an app) in the Play Store you should of course report the app to Google immediately.

Ads are a different matter, and there are certainly apps that are too intrusive with these, though the most intrusive types of ads were banned a couple of years ago. I would always uninstall an app where ads are excessive, though I personally prefer to pay for an app rather than have ads. If an app posts ads that interfere with other apps then you should report it, because that is supposed to be banned.

Thanks for your direction! It's enlightening. In fact I nearly preceded my input with something like "I hope I'm on the right platform" to establish my complaints.
By your reaction I know better now.
 
Back
Top Bottom