The
designers of the applications may not be entitled totally to the blame as they
also may have been baited by false promises. They may have not understood that
they were utilizing a promotion related software development kit or SDK whose
reason for existing is to install adware on devices.
Once an
application infected by SimBad gets downloaded, the adware registers itself on
the system with the goal that it can keep running on boot and from that point
onwards, it can perform activities like opening a browser page to phish user
information, open an application store including Google Play Store (to be
specific) potentially malicious application, or even download and install an
application in the background.
As per
Security outfit Check Point, the applications perform different malicious behavior
that the user's need to be wary of, including:
- Showing ads outside of the application, for when the user unlocks their phone or uses other apps.
- Constantly opening Google Play or 9Apps Store and redirecting to another particular application, so the developer can profit from additional installations.
- Hiding its icon from the launcher in order to prevent uninstallation.
- Opening a web browser with links provided by the app developer.
- Downloading APK files and asking the user to install it.
- Searching a word provided by the app in Google Play.
As a matter
of fact, SimBad is less appalling than other malware that got away from
Google's notice however it does as of now can possibly accomplish more harm as,
according to Checkpoint, "SimBad' has abilities that can be divided into
three groups namely - Show Ads, Phishing, and Exposure to other applications.
Keeping in
mind the user privacy, Google has officially brought down the infected
applications and will doubtlessly add the adware strain to Google Protect’s AI.
