Millions of Android phones may be infected by malicious apps

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In this photo illustration a Google Play Store logo is seen on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Three dozen malicious apps filled with adware and malware have recently been found on the Google Play Store and experts are advising any users who downloaded them to delete them immediately.

The apps pose as image-editing tools, virtual keyboards, system optimizers, wallpaper changers, and other useful tools.

According to BleepingComptuer.com, the apps, which have already been installed nearly 10 million times on mobile devices, aim to push intrusive ads on users, along with getting them to subscribe to premium services and stealing their victims' social media accounts.

The apps were initially discovered by Doctor Web, a Russian anti-malware company.

Android users are strongly advised to make sure they have not installed any of the apps (which are listed below) and if they have been installed, to manually uninstall them and perform a virus scan.

Adware apps can quickly drain your smartphone's battery by running in the background, even after being closed. They can also hide their app icons to make them difficult to find and uninstall.

The full list of apps is:

Photo Editor: Beauty Filter
Photo Editor: Retouch & Cutout
Photo Editor: Art Filters
Photo Editor - Design Maker
Photo Editor & Background Eraser
Photo & Exif Editor
Photo Editor - Filters Effects
Photo Filters & Effects
Photo Editor : Blur Image
Photo Editor : Cut, Paste
Emoji Keyboard: Stickers & GIF
Neon Theme Keyboard
Neon Theme - Android Keyboard
Cashe Cleaner
FastCleaner: Cashe Cleaner
Call Skins - Caller Themes
Funny Caller
CallMe Phone Themes
InCall: Contact Background
MyCall - Call Personalization
Caller Theme
Caller Theme
Funny Wallpapers - Live Screen
4K Wallpapers Auto Changer
NewScrean: 4D Wallpapers
Stock Wallpapers & Backgrounds
Notes - reminders and lists