Security researchers have discovered that 28 popular free apps for Android contain dangerous software. Its goal: to use your smartphone to relay criminal activities.
Like many Internet users, you probably use a VPN when you connect to the Internet. Very easy to use, this type of tool serves as an intermediary when you access online sites or services, hence its full name (Virtual Private Network or “virtual private network” in French). Acting like a “screen”, it avoids direct contact, by protecting the data exchanged and by masking your real IP address, and therefore your identity, which in particular allows you to virtually change your geographical location to access services inaccessible in France, like some streaming platforms.
The only thing is: while most paid VPNs are safe, this is not the case for their free equivalents. In a recent investigation, security experts at Human Security discovered that 28 free VPNs (including 17 available on the Play Store, Google’s official app store!) were infested with dangerous malware. Its goal: to discreetly transform their victims’ smartphones into real relays for hackers! In practice, if you have installed one of these compromised VPNs, your phone can be used to carry out attacks and other criminal activities (ad fraud, spam, phishing, data theft, attacks, etc.) without your knowledge, working in the background on behalf of hackers. Which can expose you to serious legal problems…
Here is the list of infested VPNs:
- Lite VPN
- Anime Keyboard
- Blaze Stride
- Byte Blade VPN
- Android 12 Launcher (by CaptainDroid)
- Android 13 Launcher (by CaptainDroid)
- Android 14 Launcher (by CaptainDroid)
- CaptainDroid Feeds
- Free Old Classic Movies (by CaptainDroid)
- Phone Comparison (by CaptainDroid)
- Fast Fly VPN
- Fast Fox VPN
- Fast Line VPN
- Funny Char Ging Animation
- Limo Edges
- Oko VPN
- Phone App Launcher
- Quick Flow VPN
- Sample VPN
- Secure Thunder
- Shine Secure
- Speed Surfing
- Swift Shield VPN
- TurboTrack VPN
- Turbo Tunnel VPN
- Yellow Flash VPN
- Ultra VPN
- Run VPN
Google removed these apps from the Play Store and strengthened its Google Protect security system to spot this malware in apps. Some have since been reintroduced after being cleaned. But, no matter what, it is better to immediately remove these VPNs from your smartphone if you have one installed.