Google banned 8 dangerous crypto mining apps tricking victims into watching ads

Search giant Google has eliminated eight fake cryptocurrency mining apps designed to mislead innocent users.

Google removed crypto-mining apps because of their danger to users

8 Fake Cryptocurrency Mining Apps you have to uninstall

According to Trend Micro, there's an increased number of people who are interested in learning about mining cryptocurrency. Due to that,  cybercriminals exploiting their interest not just by deploying cryptocurrency-mining malware, but by fake Android apps that target those interested in virtual coins.

The security research firm said that were more than 120 fake cryptocurrency mining apps that were present online. Moreover, these apps had in-app purchases ranging from USD 14.99 to USD 189.99.

The eight apps banned by Google are:

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 and btc miner

Ethereum (ETH) - Pool Mining Cloud

These unsafe crypto-mining apps on the Play Store were identified and banned by Google. Allegedly, these cybercriminals lure unsuspecting users into installing them on their devices. These apps use the usual "get rich quick" scheme to lure users into investing money in money in a "cloud mining service" and reaping profits.

Trend Micro made an analysis regarding these eight apps removed by Google. They forced users to watch advertisements and have an average monthly fee of USD 115. Reportedly, these apps tricked users that they could pay for increased mining ability by buying their favorite crypto "machines" in the cloud. The report explained,

The app called Daily Bitcoin Rewards – Cloud Based Mining System prompts its users to upgrade their crypto mining capacity by "buying" their favorite mining machines to earn more coins at a faster rate.

Trend Micro said that the apps mentioned above have affected more than 4,500 users in the past year. So if you already downloaded any of these applications on your mobile phone, it is best that you uninstall them.

Source: Trend Micro