Security researchers say APKPure, a widely popular application for installing old or closed Android apps from outside Google’s App Store, contains malicious adware that has flooded the victim’s device with unwanted ads. Kaspersky Lab said it had warned APPU on Thursday that it is most recent application version, 3.17 .18, contained malicious code that the victim’s device had inadvertently spread data on and forced ads to appear on the device’s lock screen and in the background. .
However, the researchers said that the malicious code had the ability to download other malware, potentially putting the victims at greater risk. Researchers say that the developers of APAPU may have introduced malicious code from a verified source known as the Software Development Kit or SDK. APKPure has removed the new version, 3.17.19, by removing the malicious code, and the developers no longer list the malicious version on their site.
However, the researchers said that the malicious code had the ability to download other malware, potentially putting the victims at greater risk. Researchers say that the developers of APAPU may have introduced malicious code from a verified source known as the Software Development Kit or SDK. APKPure has removed the new version, 3.17.19, by removing the malicious code, and the developers no longer list the malicious version on their site.
APKPure was set up in 2014 to allow Android users access to a wide range of Android apps and games, including older versions of Android users, as well as app versions of other regions that are not available on Google Play, the official app store for Android. After launching an Android application, it also needs to install outside of Google Play, serving as its own app store to allow users to download older apps directly to their Android device.
APKPure ranks as one of the most popular sites on the Internet. However, security experts have long warned against installing apps outside the official App Store, as most of the victims of Android malware are victims of installing malicious apps from outside the Android Store. Google scans all Android apps turn it into Google Play but some have caught cracks before.
