It was only a matter of time before I would have to cover something about Pokemon Go and here it is. Dan Gooding writing for Ars Technica:

 Researchers from antivirus provider Eset report finding at least three such apps in the Google-hosted marketplace. Of the three, the one titled “Pokemon Go Ultimate” posed the biggest threat because it deliberately locks the screen of devices immediately after being installed. In many cases, restarting an infected phone isn’t enough to unlock the screen. Infected phones can ultimately be unlocked either by removing the battery or by using the Android Device Manager. 

But it gets better.

 Eset discovered two other fake Pokémon Go apps inhabiting Google Play, one named “Guide & Cheats for Pokemon Go” and the other “Install Pokemongo.” Both deliver ads carrying fraudulent, scary-sounding messages that are designed to trick users into buying expensive, unnecessary services. One such message claims the device is infected with malware and prompts the user to spend money to get the malicious apps removed 

Android is really the new Windows, isn’t it? In just July:

• Millions of Android Devices Suffer From Flawed Full Disk Encryption
• 10 Million Android Devices Reportedly Infected With Chinese Malware

So before you’re ready to get your AR adventures started, make sure you’re careful about what you download.

Discuss:

Are you ever worried about the content you find on Google Play?