The fact that computer viruses still exist in 2015 is not only frustrating as hell but it’s also a testament to the dark side of humanity. Viruses exist because people create them and a recently-discovered type of Android malware is virtually impossible to remove – because people made it that way.

The malware has been spreading via apps from third-party app stores, and they use code from official software so not only do they seem legit they can actually perform the functions that they’re supposed to, making for the perfect cover for the malicious code hidden inside.

The code allows the malware to gain root access to your device’s OS, which in turn installs a serious of exploits as system applications, giving them a strong foothold in your device. The only good news – if you can call it that – is that so far the three types of malware discovered have done nothing but display ads.

The security research team that discovered the code have found over 20,000 of the modified apps available in over ten countries, the US included, but thankfully the malware doesn’t seem to have made it into the official Google Play store. Good on Google for keeping the riff-raff out and giving us a safe place to download applications.

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