Google removes malicious apps from users' Android smartphones

Google has used a ‘kill' switch to remove 58 rogue applications from the Android Marketplace and the phones of users who had downloaded the apps.

The apps, games and other programs had data-stealing code buried in the software. It is estimated more than 200,000 people downloaded the malicious apps, which were pirated versions of popular legitimate apps, to their Android mobile phones or tablets.

These malicious apps included Falling Down, Super Guitar Solo, Super History Eraser, Photo Editor and Super Ringtone Maker. These apps could steal data and be used by the crooks to make premium-rate phone calls.

Google was able to remove these apps from users' phones using a tool built into the Android operating system.

In its mobile blog Google said: "We are pushing an Android Market security update to all affected devices that undoes the exploits to prevent the attacker(s) from accessing any more information from affected devices.

"If your device has been affected, you will receive an email from android-market-support@google.com over the next 72 hours. You will also receive a notification on your device that "Android Market Security Tool March 2011" has been installed.

"You may also receive notification(s) on your device that an application has been removed. You are not required to take any action from there; the update will automatically undo the exploit. Within 24 hours of the exploit being undone, you will receive a second email."

The software giant also suspended accounts of the developers who are believed to have uploaded the apps, and has contacted the authorities.

People can find out more from the Google Marketplace Help centre. However, although it is not known if any exploits have been carried out, people should probably check their phone bill if they downloaded one of these apps.