Bitdefender’s IT security researchers have uncovered a trick that some malware apps use to hide from detection and removal. These apps bypass Google’s Android 11 protection that prevents hiding apps by not registering a launcher. They rely on users launching the app directly after installation through the “Open” button. The malware apps also display a fake error message that says “Application is unavailable in your region. Tap OK to uninstall” to trick users into believing that the app wasn’t installed. Additionally, the apps use UTF-8 encoded characters in the app name, making it difficult to find and uninstall them.
Not all apps without an icon are malware, though. Some free apps, such as “Sleep as Android,” only appear in the Android app list after purchasing a separate licensed app. However, these developers do not hide their names in the list. It is still a good idea to uninstall apps that do not appear in the launcher and obscure their name in the app list.
In conclusion, users should be careful when downloading apps from dubious websites and should only download from trusted sources. They should also be aware of the tricks that some malware apps use to avoid detection and should regularly check for and uninstall any suspicious apps. If in doubt, a factory reset and new phone setup may be necessary to ensure complete removal of any malware.
