Fake Pokemon Go App Infects Google Play Store

(pc-google images)

While Pokemon Go is creating waves around the world for gaming lovers, people with malicious intent are trying to reap as much benefits from it as they can.

According to a recent report by software security company ESET, a malicious gaming application has been found on the Google Play Store, claiming itself as the official source of “Pokemon Go,” while the game yet hasn’t released in India. This app promises to work on the lockscreen, but instead is installed as ‘PI Network’ on your phone.

Anyone who ran that app would find their phone completely frozen, forcing them to restart the phone by removing the battery. Once rebooted, the PI Network app seemed to disappear, however it continued running in the background and generating fake ad clicks, a report published in the Fortune said.

The Pokemon Go app uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) of the smartphone in conjunction with Google Maps. It places virtual creatures in real world locations that players need to find using the smartphone as screen as a guide.

The app, however, has been pulled off from Google Play, ESET reported. One can uninstall the app manually by going to their phone's application manager.

ESET also spotted several other malicious apps, including Install Pokemongo and Guide & Cheats for Pokémon GO.