If you use an Android phone, it’s a smart idea to take a quick look at your recently installed apps. Security experts at Check Point have discovered a large adware operation affecting users around the world, and getting caught in it can be incredibly frustrating.
It Doesn’t Steal Data, But It Slows Everything Down
The good news is that this malware isn’t trying to steal your personal info or banking details. The bad news is that it quietly drains your phone’s resources and makes everyday use painfully slow. This happens because the adware keeps running background processes nonstop.
Meet GhostAd, the Trouble-Maker
The affected apps, carrying a bug called “GhostAd,” posed as simple utility tools or fun emoji editors, according to Express. Check Point explained: “Behind their cheerful icons, these apps created a persistent background advertising engine – one that kept running even after users closed or rebooted their devices, quietly consuming battery and mobile data.”
At its peak, the GhostAd campaign was using around 15 compromised apps to reach unsuspecting Android users. What makes the situation even more worrying is that several of these apps were available directly on the Google Play Store.
Popular Apps, Hidden Problems
That’s how so many people ended up downloading them without thinking twice. One of the apps even climbed to second place in Google Play’s “Top Free Tools” chart. Unfortunately, users who installed these apps have dealt with nonstop pop-up ads, apps refusing to uninstall, disappearing icons, and phones slowing down or freezing altogether.
Google Has Removed Them, But You Still Need To Act
Google has confirmed that it removed all the problematic apps after receiving warnings from Check Point. However, if you have already downloaded any of them, they won’t disappear from your phone automatically. This makes it a perfect time to look through your installed apps and delete anything suspicious or anything that has been slowing your device down.
Check Point added: “The GhostAd campaign blurs the line between marketing and malware. It shows how everyday advertising tools, when combined with persistence and obfuscation, can quietly undermine user trust in mobile ecosystems.
“Millions of Android users unknowingly became part of a hidden ad network, their phones repurposed to generate revenue at their expense. As mobile threats evolve, so do the creative abuses of legitimate SDKs. GhostAd is a reminder that not every threat hides in the shadows – some sit openly in the app store, disguised as harmless fun.”
Stay Safe Before You Download
To avoid issues like this in the future, always read app reviews, check whether the developer has a trustworthy reputation, and pay close attention to the permissions an app asks for. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your device safe and running smoothly.
ALSO READ: Easy Guide To Remove Bloatware From Your Phone : Get Rid Of Pre-Installed Apps On Android
