The malware masquerades as popular apps, such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, and installs something known as 'troganised adware' onto phones. Scroll down for video A new type of Android malware has been uncovered in more than 20,000 apps — and it's impossible to remove. The malware masquerades as popular apps, such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, and installs something known as 'troganised adware' onto phones The malware works by repackaging legitimate apps from the Google Play store with adware, and then released it to a third-party store. The problem is that the repackaged apps remain fully functional, and so the malware is difficult to detect. The malware works adware removal android repackaging legitimate apps from the Google Play store with adware, and then released it to a third-party store. The problem is that the repackaged apps remain fully functional, and so the problem is difficult to detect. The app will then serve ads, which generates money adware removal android the hacker. Although their may function is to display ads, their system-level status also lets them gain access to key security details built into Android. This can let a hacker gain access to sensitive data about the user. This can let a hacker gain access to sensitive data about the user. Lookout Security said there that users who install apps from Google Play, Android's official app store, are no affected. There are at least three similar adware found - Shuanet, Kemoge and Shudun. Together they've repackaged around 20,000 apps.