The SimBad malware is affecting 150 million users of the Google Play Store – check out the full list of apps affected

Check Point's computer security researchers have recently discovered a sophisticated malware attack that targets Android users around the world via the Google Play Store app store. To date, 150 million Android users have become prey to the malware. According to the report, this malware called "SimBad" mainly infects simulation games and disguises itself as advertising to avoid suspicion. Extensive research has shown that the malicious code was hiding behind the SDK for marketing and profitability purposes, and was hard to find.

SimBad can redirect victims to the compromised website and download more malicious applications from the Play Store or the remote server to implement phishing attacks. Check Point researchers Elena Root and Andrey Polkovnichenko said the malicious SDK could easily trick developers. They may not even know the true intent of what they have created. It can be seen that the attack was not initiated for a specific region, any more than the malicious program developed by the same developer.

SimBad infects the target device and the malicious application hides the malicious program's icon, but when it is used, it displays the ads in the background, which generates fraudulent revenue. In this way, the malware will not only attract attention, nor even cause suspicion.

According to Check Point, most infected applications are simulation games, photo editors and wallpaper applications. Here are the top ten applications most infected with SimBad malware:

1. Snow Heavy Excavator Simulator (10,000,000 downloads)
2. Hoverboard Racing (5,000,000 downloads)
3. Real Tractor Farming Simulator (5,000,000 downloads)
4. Ambulance Rescue Driving (5,000,000 downloads)
5. Heavy Mountain Bus Simulator 2018 (5,000,000 downloads)
6. Fire Truck Emergency Driver (5,000,000 downloads)
7. Farming Tractor Real Harvest Simulator (5,000,000 downloads)
8. Parking challenge (5,000,000 downloads)
9. Fast Jet Ski Race Boat (5,000,000 downloads)
10. Water Surfing Car Stunt (5,000,000 downloads)

Click on RIGHT HERE for a complete list. The good news is that Check Point has reported to Google and that a lot of these apps have been removed from the Play Store. However, if you have installed one of these applications, be sure to remove it now and scan your device with trusted antivirus software.