Google Bans Dangerous Crypto Apps

As the popularity of cryptocurrency continues to surge, so does the prevalence of malicious apps seeking to exploit unsuspecting users. Recently, Google took action against eight such dangerous crypto apps, banning them from the Play Store.

Deceptive Practices Uncovered

The banned apps were discovered to employ deceptive tactics to entice users into downloading them. Despite claiming to offer cloud mining services for cryptocurrency, these apps were found to lack any legitimate mining features. Instead, they prompted users to make in-app purchases ranging from $14.99 to $189.99 under the guise of enhancing their mining capabilities.

According to security firm Trend Micro, which conducted an analysis of these apps, users were subjected to watching advertisements and faced an average monthly fee of approximately $115. Furthermore, the apps suggested that users could enhance their mining abilities by purchasing virtual crypto “machines” within the app.

Identified Banned Apps

The eight apps banned by Google are as follows:

• BitFunds – Crypto Cloud Mining
• Bitcoin Miner – Cloud Mining
• Bitcoin (BTC) – Pool Mining Cloud Wallet
• Crypto Holic – Bitcoin Cloud Mining
• Daily Bitcoin Rewards – Cloud Based Mining System
• Bitcoin 2021
• MineBit Pro – Crypto Cloud Mining & btc miner
• Ethereum (ETH) – Pool Mining Cloud

Ongoing Threats

Despite the ban on these eight apps, the threat posed by fake cryptocurrency mining apps persists. Trend Micro estimates that over 120 such fraudulent apps are still accessible, having impacted more than 4,500 users in the past year alone.

Protective Measures

If you have any of the banned apps installed on your device, it is crucial to remove them immediately. Navigate to your device’s Settings, select Apps, and uninstall the respective app by tapping on its name and choosing ‘Uninstall’. By taking proactive steps to remove these malicious apps, users can safeguard themselves against potential financial risks and privacy breaches.