Google removes fake "antivirus" from Play with thousands of paid downloads

[Bakgrund]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/04/08/google_kills_virus_app_after_decompilation_proves_its_a_fake/

 

 

"Virus Shield", an app that briefly shot to the top of the charts on Google Play, has turned out to be a complete fake and has therefore been pulled by Google.

The scam, turned up by Android Police, is as simple as a con-man could wish for: the app includes almost no functionality whatever, yet it was briefly a chart-topper on Google Play, something that at $US3.99 for the download.

 

According to Appbrain, the software sailed past 10,000 downloads, putting its take at close to $US40,000 for nothing at all. The Register says “almost no functionality†because the app does just one thing: it changes its icon when you tap it, pretending to be checking your phone for viruses.

As Android Police says: “this is such a brazen and expensive fake that we felt the need to give it some special attention. It's somewhat disheartening that an app so obviously fake could rise to the top, especially considering that it's paid, and possibly hundreds or thousands of people have been defrauded already.â€

To prove the point, they've posted the decompiled Java code at github.

El Reg would note that at least two of the claims made by the software – low battery consumption and no ads – are true. Along with the legitimate complaint that a scam app like this should never have made it onto Google Play, The Register would also ask why a developer could get away with apparently operating under a fake identity. ®

 

[puddingkip]

Easiest $40,000 of that guys life. And how could Google let this slip? Anyway I'd have him pay back since he clearly misinformed his customers

 

[whopz]

Google didn't let it slip, he just used bots to fake downloads/reviews or something. Everyone just jumped on the hype-train then.

[Pearly Gates]

Google didn't let it slip, he just used bots to fake downloads/reviews or something. Everyone just jumped on the hype-train then.

Funny actually

[There]

pfft, who worries about mobile viruses? I'm protected by NavaShield Mobile

[Shawnee]

pfft, who worries about mobile viruses? I'm protected by NavaShield Mobile

 

Hotspot shield to get around the website blocks when I'm on the school's wifi

[The Radiated Banana]

Has anyone actually ever gotten a virus for their phone -_______- never happened to me before

[Alex From Security]

Read the apps permissions.

Hmm.

Antivirus that wants no permissions.

Aight.

[The G What ™]

Read the apps permissions.

Hmm.

Antivirus that wants no permissions.

 

Aight.

Was approved by the same people that work Valve's customer support. 

[knavesmith]

pfft, who worries about mobile viruses? I'm protected by NavaShield Mobile

God speed.

[The Radiated Banana]

God speed.

wut dose dat even mean

[knavesmith]

wut dose dat even mean

Another way of saying "Good Luck."

[Shawnee]

Another way of saying "Good Luck."

But you usually only say it when someone's going on a trip or the likes.

[knavesmith]

But you usually only say it when someone's going on a trip or the likes.

and when they are in serious danger.