Warning! This application contains a virus, you may have it installed

Even in 2021, the Google Play store can’t get rid of the sticker of one of Android’s sources malvéru. Although it contains a much smaller amount than alternative stores, it is more dangerous for users than the many-more-used application store. The portal drew attention to the latest case of dangerous malware AndroidPolice. The application in this case is known to the painter.

Malware is a popular application Barcode Scanner

Malware discovered by a security company Malwarebytes, it surprises at two points. First, by being distributed by a popular application Barcode Scannerwhich has over 10 million downloads. This is not a fake application that only looks like the original, but an official application from the developer Lavabird ltd., which has so far had an intact reputation. The application itself has been problem-free so far. But everything changed with its December update.

Instead of the classic advertising SDK, which displays ads in the application in the standard way, the developer inserted malicious code into it, which displays them similarly to adware. Such malicious applications also display ads outside the application’s interface and automatically open malicious websites with various annoying alerts. All this happens in the background without the user having the application running. The developer has already downloaded the application from the store.

Barcode Scanner was included with your Google Play Pass subscription

The second surprise is that the application Barcode Scanner has been part of a Google Play Pass subscription at all times. This subscription offers access to hundreds of games and applications for a fee without built-in ads and purchases. The Google Play Pass has been available in Slovakia and the Czech Republic since the fall. The monthly fee for Slovakia was set at € 4.99, but there is also an annual subscription in the total amount of € 29.99.

Needless to say, including their app in the Google Play Pass is a good advertisement for developers. Therefore, the user expects that the applications and games in his offer are not only high quality, but also verified in terms of security. The fact that malware can be included in such a selection is a worse advertisement for Google than the fact that the overall control of the Google Play store still fails.