Google removes 5000 fraudulent apps from Play Store

Google, in collaboration with security firm White Ops’ Satori Threat Intelligence & Research team, has deleted more than 5,000 apps after research reported the apps’ malicious nature.

The apps were using an ad fraud botnet codenamed TERRACOTTA on 65,000 phones. They were discovered by the White Ops Satori Threat Intelligence & Research team.

According to Firstpost, The TERRACOTTA malware was offering Android users free goods in exchange for downloading the app.

While users never received these freebies, the malware got activated as soon as the app was installed. TERRACOTTA then used the smartphone to generate non-human advertising impressions purporting to be ads shown in legitimate Android apps.

However, the app names haven’t been revealed by the security firm