Malicious apps change their name to come back on the Play Store

Malicious apps

Security researchers found that the malicious application that was previously reported to be ousted and returned to Google’s official store Play Store. The method used by malicious developers was merely changing the name and not modifying the code to evade the so-called automated review.

The Play Store uses automated methods instead of manual review methods to examine submitted applications. Its automated inspection process is considered flawed and often allows malicious applications to pass inspections. It re-reported to Google‘s security team and had them taken down again.

Symantec researchers found 7 malicious programs that were re-launched, and these applications were re-offered after reporting them again to the Google security team.