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New “AdultSwine” malware could display pornographic images to children
July 28, 2025
Although Google removed the apps from the Play Store, they can’t remove them from devices once they’re already installed. The search giant says that it will show strong warnings to anyone that installed them. But that might not be enough. If children are using devices unmonitored, they may not even be able to read those warnings. Googlescans every appthat enters the Play Store formalicious code, but it is still hard to catch bad actors. Check Point explains that it can be hard to catch these types of malware because, “(…) some nasty code can only be detected by dynamically analyzing the context of an app’s actions, which is hard to do.”
The security firm warned that AdultSwine will be back. “‘AdultSwine’ and other similar malware will likely be continually repeated and imitated by hackers,” Check Point toldCNBC. “Users should be extra vigilant when installing apps, particularly those intended for use by children.”
This is another black eye for Google when it really didn’t need another. It recently came under fire for its YouTube algorithmsuggesting videos to kidsthat can showviolent or sexual imagery. YouTube has sinceimplemented a new systemto check videos designed for minors. Google also says that the apps in question never made it to theDesigned for Familiessection in Google Play. That section recommends safe apps with appropriate ads for children.
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