Cheetah Mobile Security Research Lab today announced through a press release that they have discovered a new type malware named "Ghost Push" which is believed to have affected over 600,000+ users in a day as per the research company. Cheetah Mobile which also claimed to be world's fourth largest publisher of applications worldwide said that the virus is being distributed through non-Google app stores. This has raised serious concerns about the kind of check third party app stores does for applications published on their platform.
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| Ghost Push Virus |
India ranks number two in terms of number of affected devices, with 1,44,199 devices confirmed to be affected by this virus. Cheetah Mobile also said that this is most widespread and infectious virus they have ever seen. The virus spreads through external SD card or browser add ons and installs unwanted applications such as 'Monkey Test' or 'Times Service' on the device. Once these applications are installed you cannot simply uninstall them even after doing a factory reset. In terms of damage these applications consumes your device resources, such as memory, battery , processing power etc thus slowing your device, and consuming large amount of cellular data making deep cut in your pocket.
How to detect it?
As of now Cheetah Mobile's own developed applications Clean Master and CM Security can detect the infection and the firm is also said to be working on a toolkit specifically aimed at Ghost Push removal to keep phones safe.
For now if your device is affected by the virus you can uninstall it manually by following steps mentioned in CM Blog.
Affected Applications:
Below is a list of applications identified to carry Ghost Push virus by CM Research labs.
| WiFi Enhancer | PinkyGirls | WordLock | SettingService | Sex Cademy |
| TimeService | XVideo Codec Pack | Fast Booster | boom pig | iVideo |
| Indian Sexy Stories 2 | Amazon | Talking Tom 3 | WhatsWifi | Fruit Slots |
| Assistive Touch | Hubii News | Photo Clean | Hot Video | Wifi Speeder |
| Accurate Compass | itouch | Super Mario | Lemon Browser | WiFi FTP |
| All-star Fruit Slash | Light Browser | SmartFolder | Multifunction Flashlight | Ice Browser |
| Happy Fishing | XVideo | Simple Flashlight | Assistive Touch | PronClub |
| MonkeyTest | Memory Booster | Daily Racing | Hot Girls |
What should you do?
If you have any of the above mentioned applications downloaded thru third party app stores or it is present in your mobile without actually installing it then follow link given above to manually remove it. In future make sure you don't install applications from third party app stores without verifying the application and use third party app stores only if it is really required, Google play store is rich in its variety of content and you can get most of the required applications or their alternatives from this trusted play store.
If you have any of the above mentioned applications downloaded thru third party app stores or it is present in your mobile without actually installing it then follow link given above to manually remove it. In future make sure you don't install applications from third party app stores without verifying the application and use third party app stores only if it is really required, Google play store is rich in its variety of content and you can get most of the required applications or their alternatives from this trusted play store.
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