Urgent Warning: Delete the “Barcode Scanner” App by Lavabird from Your Smartphone

If you have the “Barcode Scanner” app created by Lavabird on your smartphone, we strongly recommend that you remove it immediately. Here’s why this app, found on the Google Play Store, is causing concern among cybersecurity experts.

Recently, MalwareBytes, a well-known cybersecurity website, uncovered troubling information about the “Barcode Scanner” app. This application, which is designed to facilitate QR and barcode scanning using your smartphone camera, has reportedly undergone a significant update that transformed it into a source of harmful malware.

What was once a useful tool has become a conduit for unsolicited advertisements and links that could lead users to dubious websites—all without their knowledge or consent. Researchers from MalwareBytes discovered that the latest update introduced malicious code that had not been seen before, cleverly engineered to evade detection by Google Play Protect.

As of now, there has been no official communication or warning from the Google Play Store about this app. This lack of notification could leave many users unaware of the potential danger lurking on their devices.

If you suspect that your smartphone is behaving unusually and you have this app installed, it is crucial to act quickly. Navigate to your device’s Android App Settings, locate the app, and look for the package name “com.qrcodescanner.barcodescanner.” If you find it, please uninstall it right away to safeguard your device.

For more detailed information, you can check out the article from MalwareBytes here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this urgent alert. As this is my inaugural post on this platform, your understanding and kindness regarding my language skills are greatly appreciated!

Note: I apologize if the title seemed sensationalist. I’ve made sure to clarify the app’s name at the beginning of this post to assist anyone searching for information without needing to click through. Stay safe!