In the latest sign that Google is failing to keep dangerous applications from appearing on the Play Store, researchers with Check Point Research have uncovered two malicious campaigns labeled SimBad and Operation Sheep that together affect over 250 Android users across the globe.
SimBad is adware that has been found on 210 apps on the Play Store, accounting for a total of 147 million downloads. SimBad renders phones almost unusable by displaying numerous adds outside of the apps and making it nearly impossible for users to uninstall infected applications. Operation Sheep is perhaps even more dangerous as it involves malware that steals contact information present on infected phones. Operation Sheep comprises 12 apps with a total of 111 million downloads.
Read more: Researchers expose massive mobile adware and data stealing campaigns with 250 million downloads
