Security software maker, Symantec Corp., recently identified a new malware that’s been plaguing Google’s app store, Google Play.

The Android malware poses as popular game titles such as “Super Mario Bros.” and “GTA 3 Moscow City”.  The titles were posted last June 24 and has already been downloaded 50,000 to 100,000 times.  The game titles are hiding a Trojan known as the Android.Dropdialer which sends SMS messages to a premium-rate phone number.

The peculiar thing about this malware is that it managed to stay undetected in Google Play for months, enabling it to be downloaded by users, unknowingly risking the security of their devices.

The Android.Dropdialer is broken down into separate, staged payloads, entering Google Play and bypassing its screening process being the first stage or part of the anomaly.  When the malicious app is downloaded and installed, it downloads an additional package, hosted on Dropbox, called ‘Activator.apk’.  The additional package then sends an SMS  to a premium-rate number.  This is where it gets even sketchier – when the payload sends the SMS, it uninstalls itself from the device, removing any trace of its existence and covering its tracks.  The threat seems to be targeting Eastern Europe.

Upon being notified by Symantec of the threat, Android Security was quick to address the issue.

Google recently denied the Android botnet claims by some security experts who stated that Android devices were sending spam e-mails containing fake ads for herbal viagra or weight loss pills.  Android devices infected with the malware were shocked with high phone bills due to the massive internet activity charged to their mobile device.

Another security company, TrustGo, also recently identified another malware, “Trojan!MMarketPay.A@Android”, downloads paid apps and contents from Mobile Market, the Android market of China Mobile, one of the world’s largest network carrier, which could lead to sky-high phone bills.  TrustGo believes that the malware infected more than 100,000 Android devices in China.