Beware: 239 Dangerous Android Apps Found on Google Play with 40M+ Installs

Cybersecurity threats targeting mobile devices and critical infrastructure have reached alarming new heights, according to Zscaler’s latest research.

The latest findings from Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS) expose a sophisticated campaign by threat actors who have successfully infiltrated Google’s official app marketplace with hundreds of malicious applications.

The company’s ThreatLabz 2025 Mobile, IoT, and OT Threat Report reveals that 239 malicious Android applications hosted on the Google Play Store have been downloaded a staggering 42 million times, while critical infrastructure in the energy sector experienced a massive 387% increase in attacks compared to the previous year.

These dangerous apps primarily disguised themselves within the “Tools” category, masquerading as legitimate productivity and workflow applications to exploit users’ trust particularly those working in hybrid and remote environments where mobile devices have become essential for professional tasks.

The report documented a concerning 67% year-over-year increase in Android malware ...