Malware-Free CamScanner App Back on Google Play Store, Update Now

The popular PDF creator app was removed from Google Play Store, iOS users were not affected by the malware.

The app was removed from Google’s app store for carrying malicious malware. 

(Photo: The Quint)

After removing the malicious aspect of its app, the PDF creator app on mobile CamScanner is back on Google Play Store for Android users.

Back in August, experts had discovered a malware, rooted through the app, which was capable of stealing confidential data from your device.

Google, which claims to detect such malware issues in apps on the Play Store and remove them, didn’t catch this issue on CamScanner, but eventually had to remove the app from its store.

Now CamScanner has confirmed that changes have been made to the app, making sure it can be listed on the app store again. For those who didn’t delete the app, the developer is asking them to update to version 5.12.5 at the earliest.

The malware, according to Kaspersky, wasn’t found in the coding of the app. Instead, it was part of an advertising library feature, which was recently added to the third-party PDF creator app.

The malware was within the app, which could allow attackers to install malicious program on users' Android devices without informing or letting them know.

When users allow payment-centric permissions to apps with malware, hackers can easily get access to bank details, which allows them to steal money from a user’s account.

Replying to a user, who wanted to know what CamScanner has changed and if it also sells user data, this is what CamScanner had to say:

Reviewing of third party developer access has become a prime concern for most technology giants, most notably Facebook which had to face serious ramifications for its archaic approach to developer regulations.

Adding features that push ads have raised privacy concerns for users, and it’s imperative that companies strengthen their due-diligence process before allowing third-party Software Development Kit (SDK) providers with access to its users.