These apps have been mining crypto-currencies on your PC

Symantec recently identified around eight malicious Windows 10 apps on the Windows Store that have been blamed to mine cryptocurrencies in the background. Thousands of users have downloaded these malicious apps, according to the report.

Which Apps Have Been Tagged As Malicious?

The security firm has tagged the following apps as malicious: Battery Optimizer (Tutorials), Fast-search Lite, Downloader for YouTube Videos, Clean Master+ (Tutorials), Findoo Browser 2019, VPN Browser+, Findoo Mobile & Desktop Search and FastTube.

When installed, these apps used the processors of your PCs for mining cryptocurrencies in the background. The security firm stated that all of these apps have been developed by DigiDream, 1clean and Findoo.  It is suggested that all of them belong to the same cyber group.

All of these free apps have now been removed by Microsoft because they were illegally processing in the background without the knowledge of the users.

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The same JavaScript library, Crypta.js, was reportedly being used by the apps and they were activated by the same GTM as well. You would be surprised to know that all of these progressive web apps have been published on the Windows Store in April 2018.

These apps have succeeded in gaining enough popularity among the users. Around 1900 reviews have been collectively recorded on the Windows Store.

However, it is yet not clear how many of these reviews are legitimate. It is expected that these reviews might have been artificially recorded to enhance the visibility of the apps.

Keep Your Devices Protected

The security firm is encouraging the Windows users to download its security apps in order to keep an eye on the resources used on your PC. That is the only way we can avoid any potential security breaches.

Microsoft has always claimed about its Store to be secure for the users but the recent report reveals that it is no more a safe place. Microsoft has to have a second thought about its review process because hidden crypto-mining is a serious matter of concern.

If you are one of those who has been using these malicious apps, you have to make sure that your device is protected by uninstalling these apps.

You can read the full report on Symantec’s website.

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