Google kills 21 rogue Android apps

Yesterday we told you about a fake version of the Android app Steamy Window, which included a hidden bit of code that took control of your phone, sent zillions of text messages, took over your browser, and generally screwed with you. Now comes word that Google has booted 21 apps over similar offenses. In many cases, these are free apps that look just like apps that cost money so you think, “hey, same thing for free!” and you download it and boom your phone got taken over. One of the offenses was a program that opened a backdoor to your phone, opening it to more malicious code to be downloaded later. Smooth.