Warning: Your phone could be spying on you

If you use an Android phone then go through your applications now to make sure you haven’t fallen victim to a new type of malware that can secretly record you.

The malicious software – called SonicSpy – has already been discovered in apps, some of which are available on the Google Play Store.

Antivirus firm Lookout, from San Francisco, believes it has identified over 1,000 infected apps, which they think are originating from a hacker in Iraq.

The spyware, which has been spreading since February, can capture audio and video clips, and steal sensitive information.

It’s terrifying to think someone can secretly record phone calls using your device's microphone and even hijack your phone’s camera to take photos!

The malware also allows hackers to make phone calls and send texts as you.

“Anyone accessing sensitive information on their mobile device should be concerned about SonicSpy,” security research tech services lead Michael Flossman wrote on the Lookout blog.

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“They're capable of getting their spyware into the official app store and it's actively being developed.”

According to Lookout, the account responsible for uploading the infected app Soniac is called iraqwebservice. Two other apps that have been confirmed to be infected are called Hulk Messenger andTroy Chat.

Users are being warned to be weary of apps that are similar to WhatsApp and Pokémon Go.

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