Google has taken down eight fake digital currency mining apps from its Play Store. The global tech giant was alerted to the presence of the eight by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro and took them down promptly. However, according to Trend Micro, over 100 more fake mining apps are still online, some with as many as 100,000 downloads.
Scammers are now taking to app stores to target users.
At a time when cryptocurrencies are getting mainstream exposure, scammers are now taking to app stores to target unsuspecting newbies. Trend Micro’s study found that scammers are evolving beyond the creation of cryptojacking malware and creating fake Android apps. These apps pose as digital currency cloud mining apps that allow users to earn from a passive investment. The eight apps that Google took down are:
- BitFunds – Crypto Cloud Mining
- Bitcoin Miner – Cloud Mining
- Bitcoin (BTC) – Pool Mining Cloud Wallet
- Crypto Holic – Bitcoin Cloud Mining
- Daily Bitcoin Rewards – Cloud Based Mining System
- Bitcoin 2021
- MineBit Pro – Crypto Cloud Mining & BTC miner
- Ethereum (ETH) – Pool Mining Cloud
Over 100 more such suspicious apps remain online.
While the eight were taken down, over 100 more remain online. Trend Micro estimates that 120 fake mining apps are still available on Google’s Play Store. The company added, “These apps, which do not have cryptocurrency mining capabilities and deceive users into watching in-app ads, have affected more than 4,500 users globally from July 2020 to July 2021.” Most of these dubious apps have been listed under the Play Store’s finance category.
