Urgent Warning: Remove the “Barcode Scanner” App from Your Device

If you currently have the “Barcode Scanner” application developed by Lavabird installed on your smartphone, it’s critical that you uninstall it immediately. Here’s why you should take this precaution.

Recently, the cybersecurity experts at MalwareBytes reported concerning findings regarding the “Barcode Scanner” app, which is exclusively available on the Google Play Store. This application, designed to facilitate QR code and barcode scanning, has been acting as a malicious piece of software following a recent update.

The application was originally intended to enhance user experience by allowing easy scans of barcodes and QR codes using the camera on your smartphone. However, it has now started to deliver an overwhelming amount of intrusive advertisements and redirect users to questionable websites without their consent.

MalwareBytes’ researchers discovered new malicious codes within the app that were previously unseen. Alarmingly, these codes are engineered to evade detection by Google Play Protect, which means that many users may remain unaware of the risks associated with the app.

As of now, Google has not issued any warnings about this issue, leaving numerous users unknowingly at risk. If you have this application on your device and notice any unusual behavior, it’s advisable to act quickly. To do this, navigate to your Android’s App Settings, find the package associated with the app, specifically “com.qrcodescanner.barcodescanner,” and uninstall it without delay.

For further details, you can read the full report by MalwareBytes here.

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