Beware: New Android malware uses AI to sneakily commit ad fraud on your phone (Update)But it's not even the worst part

Beware: New Android malware uses AI to sneakily commit ad fraud on your phone (Update)

TL;DR

• A newly discovered type of malware uses machine learning to automatically interact with ads and commit fraud.
• It can also be used to grant hackers access to your screen.
• The malware is found on certain games distributed through inappropriate app stores, but some have also been found in Xiaomi’s GetApps app store.

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Update, January 23, 2025 (12:53 PM ET): Google has reached to Android Authority to comment on this malware. A spokesperson tells us:

Based on our current detection, no apps containing this malware are found on Google Play. Android users are automatically protected against known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services. Google Play Protect can warn users or block apps known to exhibit malicious behavior, even when those apps come from sources outside of Play.

But it's not even the worst partTushar Mehta2026-01-23T17:53:01.000Z{}