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As many as 21 gaming apps with adware have been identified on the Google Play Store by Cybersecurity firm Avast. The researchers claim that these apps contain adware which is part of the HiddenAds family. All these apps have been reported to Google already. The “The HiddenAds family is a Trojan disguised as a safe and useful application but instead serves intrusive ads outside of the app,” Avast explained. The apps disguised as sports, puzzle, car and helicopter gaming apps were meant to display intrusive ads. 

“Numerous user reviews on the Google Play Store mention the apps grabbed their attention through advertisements on YouTube, promising a different game than what the app ultimately offered. Following the download, advertisements started flooding their phones,” Avast said. 

The apps had been downloaded about eight million times when Avast made the discovery, it said citing data from Sensor Tower. 

Full list of gaming apps - 

Shoot Them

Crush Car 

Rolling Scroll 

Helicopter Attack - NEW 

Assassin Legend - 2020 NEW 

Helicopter Shoot 

Rugby Pass

Flying Skateboard 

Iron it 

Shooting Run 

Plant Monster 

Find Hidden 

Find 5 Differences - 2020 NEW 

Rotate Shape 

Jump Jump 

Find the Differences - Puzzle Game 

Sway Man 

Desert Against 

Money Destroyer 

Cream Trip - NEW 

Props Rescue 

“While Google is doing everything possible to prevent HiddenAds from entering its Play Store, the malicious apps keep finding new ways to disguise their true purpose, thus slipping through to the platform and then to users’ phones. Users need to be vigilant when downloading applications to their phones and are advised to check the applications’ profile, reviews and to be mindful of extensive device permission requests,” Jakub Vavra, Threat Analyst at Avast said.