Tech giant Google declared on Friday that it took down 60 gaming applications after new malicious softwares were discovered in the gaming programs. Those applications were available to both kids and adults at Google Play Store. The malicious software were reportedly displaying pornographic ads and tried to trick users into purchasing premium services, according to Check Point.

What Does Google Said?

“We have eliminated the programs from Play, disabled the programmers’ accounts, and will continue to show strong warnings to anyone that has installed them,” a Google spokesperson said on Friday. Dubbed ‘AdultSwine’, the malware hides inside match apps  have been downloaded 3 to 7 million times, Check Point stated in a blog article on Friday. The apps weren’t part of the household group, which is based on a program that will assist parents to find age-appropriate contents on the Play Store.

Check Point explained that the inappropriate ads within the apps weren’t Google advertisements. The malware also sought to trick users into installing bogus security programs, and could open the backdoor. Like theft of user credentials, Check Point said. It said games and programs intended for children were a new target for cyber criminals that targeted hospitals, businesses and governments in the past.

“The most shocking element of the malware is its ability to trigger pornographic advertisements (in the attacker’s library) to pop up without warning onto the screen within the legitimate game app being exhibited,” it stated. The games included ‘Paw Puppy Run Subway Surf’, ‘ ‘Shin Hero Boy Adventure Game’, ‘ ‘Drawing Lessons Lego Ninjago, ” and ‘Addon Sponge Bob for MCPE’. Check Point said it expected AdultSwine and malware to be replicated and imitated by hackers, warning users to be extra vigilant when installing programs, especially which were used by kids.

As the news, Google may take strict action against the gaming applications which were triggering in-appropriate ads. For now, they are being pulled down. Good heavens ya!