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HiddenAds Adware Target Android Via Minecraft App Clones

by Abeerah Hashim
fake Android apps ran adware campaign for six months

Heads up, Android users! The notorious HiddenAds adware again targets Android users by impersonating legit gaming apps like Minecraft. Users must review the applications installed on their devices to delete malicious apps.

Minecraft And Other Android Gaming App Clones Spread HiddenAds Adware

According to a detailed McAfee report, around 38 gaming apps are actively distributing the HiddenAds adware, targeting Android users. These apps even appeared on the Google Play Store, luring even those gamers who stick to downloading from official sources only.

As explained, these apps boasted millions of downloads on the Play Store, highlighting the widespread impact of the malicious campaign. For example, one such app, “Block Box Master Diamond,” boasted over 10 million downloads. Likewise, the other apps, “Craft Sword Mini Fun,” “Block Box Skyland Sword,” and “Craft Monster Crazy Sword,” garnered over 5 million downloads each.

Most of these malicious apps impersonated Minecraft to trick users. These apps didn’t alert the user immediately as they could still play the games. However, the adware would continue to run background ads, consuming the device’s resources.

List of Malicious Apps

The researchers have listed the following malicious apps found to be spreading this adware campaign.

Application Name  Package Name  Google Play Downloads
Block Box Master Diamond com.good.robo.game.builder.craft.block 10M+
Craft Sword Mini Fun com.craft.world.fairy.fun.everyday.block 5M+
Block Box Skyland Sword com.skyland.pet.realm.block.rain.craft 5M+
Craft Monster Crazy Sword com.skyland.fun.block.game.monster.craft 5M+
Block Pro Forrest Diamond com.monster.craft.block.fun.robo.fairy 1M+
Block Game Skyland Forrest com.cliffs.realm.block.craft.rain.vip 1M+
Block Rainbow Sword Dragon com.block.builder.build.clever.craft.boy 1M+
Craft Rainbow Mini Builder com.fun.skyland.craft.block.monster.loki 1M+
Block Forrest Tree Crazy com.skyland.craft.caves.game.monster.block 1M+
Craft Clever Monster Castle com.box.block.craft.builder.cliffs.build 500K+
Block Monster Diamond Dragon com.block.sun.game.box.build.craft 500K+
Craft World Fun Robo com.builder.craft.diamond.block.clever.robo 500K+
Block Pixelart Tree Pro com.block.master.boy.craft.cliffs.diamond 500K+
Craft Mini Lucky Fun com.fun.block.everyday.boy.robo.craft 500K+
Block Earth Skyland World com.builder.craft.block.sun.game.mini 500K+
Block Rainbow Monster Castle com.dragon.craft.world.pixelart.block.vip 500K+
Block Fun Rainbow Builder com.craft.vip.earth.everyday.block.game 500K+
Craft Dragon Diamond Robo com.block.good.mini.craft.box.best 500K+
Block World Tree Monster com.lucky.robo.craft.loki.block.good 100K+
Block Diamond Boy Pro com.caves.robo.craft.dragon.block.earth 100K+
Block Lucky Master Earth com.tree.world.city.block.craft.crazy 100K+
Craft Forrest Mini Fun com.game.skyland.craft.monster.block.best 100K+
Craft Sword City Pro com.everyday.vip.caves.house.block.craft 100K+
Block Loki Monster Builder com.cell.rain.block.craft.loki.fairy 100K+
Block Boy Earth Mini com.block.good.sun.boy.craft.fun 100K+
Block Crazy Builder City com.fairy.builder.sun.skyland.craft.block 100K+
Craft Sword Vip Pixelart com.monster.house.good.block.earth.craft 100K+
Block City Fun Diamond com.block.best.boy.craft.sword.cell 100K+
Craft City Loki Rainbow com.crazy.clever.city.block.caves.craft 100K+
Craft Boy Clever Sun com.cliffs.builder.craft.block.lucky.earth 100K+
Block City Dragon Sun com.lucky.best.block.game.diamond.craft 100K+
Craft Loki Forrest Monster com.build.craft.boy.loki.master.block 100K+
Lokicraft: Forrest Survival 3D com.build.lokicrafts.master.forest 50K+
Craft Castle Sun Rain com.sun.realm.craft.lucky.dragon.block 50K+
Craft Game Earth World com.block.craft.vip.sun.game.box 50K+
Craft Lucky Castle Builder com.rain.crazy.lucky.pro.block.craft 50K+
Craftsman: Building City 2022 com.JavaKidz.attacksnake 50K+
Craft Rainbow Pro Rain com.skyland.house.block.craft.crazy.vip 50K+

Google Removed the Malicious App

Following the researchers’ report, Google removed all malicious apps from the Play Store and empowered Play Protect to detect those apps.

Nonetheless, Android users should still scan their devices for any malicious applications running on their devices. Also, it should remain a rule of thumb not to download apps from unknown or untrusted developers, even from the Play Store.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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