Android users have been given a warning by experts that they should not get too eager for their new Super Mario Run Android game. The game is finally Google Play Store official, but its actual release date is yet unknown, and this eagerness is being exploited by criminals.

Super Mario Run for iOS Released

Nintendo's first official Mario game on mobile was first launched for all iOS devices before Christmas, which has already been downloaded by millions of users and has reached the top 10, despite its $9.99 price tag. However, the game is yet to be launched for Android users, and this gap is getting used well by cyber criminals, as reported by The Express.

Warnings on Fake Super Mario Android Apps

Recent warnings have been given by security experts for Android users that they should be aware of the apps that falsely claim to be the Super Mario Run for their device. However, such fake downloads end up uncovering an actual mountain of malware instead of the game.

Trend Micro Findings on Malicious Apps

Security Firm Trend Micro's Researchers have recently found an increasing count of fake Super Mario Run Android apps that claim as the trending game Super Mario Run or other content related to it. Trend Micro has already identified over 9,000 malicious apps that are using the Super Mario name on various third-party app stores, which accounts for 90,000 times so far in 2016 alone.The 9000 identified are just a small count of the fake Super Mario Run Android games.These malicious apps will get into victim's smartphone and annoy them with a lot of pop-ups and advertisements.

What Happens When Malicious App is downloaded?

Trend Micro has reported that these fake apps showed annoying and intrusive advertisements. Also, some of the apps even made users install unwanted apps in user's device. For example one of the apps had an emulated version of the original Super Mario Bros game. However, it was filled with pop-ups and banner apps when the user tried downloading the app, said Trend Micro. Another app asked for an immediate update leading to one more malicious app download.

How To Keep Your Device Safe

Users can stay away from such malicious Super Mario Run Android apps by keeping out downloads from third-party app sources and avoiding the download of unknown apps especially the ones that are unofficial or unreleased versions of the original apps. Users can do this by disabling app installation from unknown sources in their settings.

Users are warned to wait for the legitimate version of the Super Mario Run App for Android to be released to avoid security issues.