There are many android applications that are known to steal data from smartphone users. According to VPNPro's latest report, there are 24 apps linked to a Chinese company called Shenzhen HAWK. For those who don't know, Shenzhen HAWK is a company that is also under the leading technology company, TCL. These twenty-four applications have so far been downloaded by more than 382 million times worldwide. The apps are suspected of containing malicious malware and stealing data or showering the device with lots of ads.
"Our research found they were requesting a lot of malicious permissions which made user data privacy dangerous," said VPNPro researcher Jan Youngren
It turns out that this isn't the first time TCL has been involved in spreading malicious apps for Android like this. Last year, their weather forecasting application Weather Forecast was also shown to be in 'evil' behavior and circulated widely. The point is this app asks for permissions beyond its functionality. Another example is an antivirus application that requests access to the camera. Even though the antivirus does not need access to the camera, what this application does is only scans the victim's smartphone data.
"These malicious permission requests include the ability to make phone calls, take pictures and record video, audio and more," the report said.
The following is a list of 24 applications that are considered to have violated privacy and did not perform their functions.
1. Sound Recorder
2. Super Cleaner
3. Virus Cleaner 2019
4. File Manager
5. Joy Launcher
6. Turbo Browser
7. Weather Forecast
8. Candy Selfie Camera
9. Hi VPN, Free VPN
10. Candy Gallery
11. Calendar Lite
12. Super Battery
13. Hi Security 2019
14. Netmaster
15. Puzzle Box
16. Private Browser
17. Hi VPN Pro
18. World Zoo
19. World Crossy!
20. Soccer Pinball
21. Dig It
22. Laser Break
23. Music Roam
24. Word Crush.
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