## North Korean Spyware Slips Into 5 Shady Apps on Google Play
Here we go again. Another wave of shady spyware making its way onto Google Play, this time thanks to our familiar friends in North Korea. Some security experts at [Lookout](https://www.lookout.com/threat-intelligence/article/lookout-discovers-new-spyware-by-north-korean-apt37) have discovered **five applications** loaded with spyware, all attempting to pose as file managers, security applications, or software updaters. Crafty little devils.
If you’ve recently downloaded any questionable Korean-English applications, you may want to take a moment to verify your device. Here’s what you should know before Kim Jong-un starts accessing your text conversations.
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## What Are These Shady Apps?
The malware in question goes by the name of **KoSpy**, and it hails from **APT 37**, also referred to as **Scarcruft**—which, let’s face it, sounds like a budget Marvel antagonist. These hackers are distributing apps that appear to be helpful, but in reality, they’re merely disguised spyware.
Most of the infected applications do perform their advertised functions—at least somewhat. However, one in particular, *Kakao Security*, doesn’t even pretend to be anything else. It simply displays a phony system window, which might as well state:
*”Thanks for downloading our spyware, you foolish person.”*
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## What Can KoSpy Do to Your Device?
Now, if you’ve installed one of these applications, what could it potentially do? Brace yourself for this frightful lineup:
### **KoSpy Can:**
– Log **every keystroke** you make (yes, even those questionable late-night Google queries).
– Capture your **text messages and call history** (so say goodbye to secret chats).
– **Track your GPS location** in real-time (North Korea doesn’t need Google Maps, they’ve got you covered).
– Access **everything** stored on your device (your questionable memes aren’t safe anymore).
– **Record audio** through your microphone (yes, they can hear you belting out tunes in your car).
– Snap **photos and videos** without your knowledge (likely very unflattering ones).
– Take **screenshots** of whatever appears on your display (so if you were purchasing something embarrassing, well, tough luck).
Essentially, it has more access to your phone than your own mother.
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## Has Google Actually Addressed This?
A Google spokesperson claims they’ve now **deleted all the shady apps** from the Play Store, which is good and all, but honestly, this keeps occurring repeatedly. How these types of applications continue to slip through the net is perplexing.
If you’ve **recently downloaded a Korean-English file manager**, it’s wise to ensure it isn’t one of these rogue applications. Otherwise, you might as well send Kim a postcard with your bank account information written on it.
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## Summary: **North Korea Knows What You Searched Last Night**
Another instance of spyware has been found hiding on Google Play, reaffirming that **downloading unknown apps is incredibly risky.** If you have one of these shady applications installed, uninstall it immediately.
And honestly, Google really needs to improve its vigilance—because if North Korea can sneak five spyware apps into their marketplace, what other threats might be lurking there? Likely something far worse.
Stay safe, avoid unnecessary downloads, and for Pete’s sake, **stop clicking “Accept” on everything without reviewing it!**
For more straightforward and candid tech updates, keep visiting **[GadgetLad.co.uk](https://gadgetlad.co.uk)**.
