Skip to main content

New Android adware reportedly “nearly impossible” to remove.

360 Security review
Lookout has discovered a new form of adware that roots a device after the user installs it, then entrenches itself as a system application. This makes it impervious to any normal means of deleting it, even factory resetting the device.
This is a new, more sophisticated version of typical adware, which tends to make itself annoying by constantly pushing ads at the user. Since this form of malware has root access, it doesn’t need to annoy the reader, and most users probably won’t even know they’ve been infected. It’s effectively a family of trojan viruses.
Lookout discovered that this family of trojans hides inside legit apps like Candy Crush,Google Now, Facebook, NYTimes, Okta, Twitter,WhatsApp, Snapchat, and over 20,000 others. Infected versions of these applications are not available on the Google Play store and must be downloaded from third party stores. Since most instances of this malware leave the host app virtually unaltered, users may not notice the sneaky little culprit that snuck in on it.
Lookout reports that successfully embedded instances of this malware are “nearly impossible” to remove, and that the only solution for most users will be to purchase a new phone. Adware with this kind of power is obviously a security risk. Apps typically aren’t given access to files created by other applications, but root access bypasses this safeguard and could expose infected devices to fraud and identity theft.
Lookout has identified three different families of this form of trojan malware: Shuanet,Kemoge (or “ShiftyBug”), and GhostPush. These families have separate designers but share 77% of their code, meaning that even if those responsible for creating them are not working together, they are at the very least aware of each other. The highest rates of infection are in the United States, Germany, Iran, Russia, India, Jamaica, Sudan, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia.
So is this really that big of a deal though? While the situation might sound dire, in reality, the odds of being infected by such a trojan probably is pretty low. As already mentioned, these infected apps are found in 3rd party stores, so if you stick to official channels — you should have very little to worry about.
Via: Android Authority 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Microsoft Office for Tablet now on Google Play store

Back in November, Microsoft opened up early previews builds for its new mobile Office applications for Android tablets to those willing to sign up and wait for an invitation. After taking on feedback over the past couple of months, Microsoft has announced that it is expanding its preview scheme by releasing its Office applications to everyone directly through the Google Play Store. The new Office software for mobile unifies Android, IOS, and Windows platforms. Previously each platform had to make do with its own apps, meaning that feature sets differed depending on your operating system and updates were often slow and intermittent. By unifying the Office platform, Microsoft hopes to bring updates and new features to users in a timelier manner. There are still a couple of conditions attached to the preview builds though. Firstly, Office is still limited to ARM-based Android tablets with a screen size between 7 and 10.1 inches. Your tablet will also need to be running Ki...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tips for strong password

As we have already discussed that passwords are strong and at the same time weak! If user create password from his name, date of birth or any other combination that is related to him, cracking down his account doesn't need much technical know how. Meaning attacker who know you, can be lucky enough to access your sensitive information by only entering certain key combinations. Creating strong and almost non hackable wait!!! is there any non hackable password! I was once told that any system can be hacked! It only took time, skills and resources! You are absolutely right! But at-least one has to really suffer before getting your data! Arm robbers do rob banks! Do you think a local or common thief can rob bank? The ans is absolute NO! Strong passwords doesn't happen by chance! Below are the steps to create a very strong passwords! Passwords should be at-least 8 characters Its already becoming standard on the internet. Many websites doesn't allow less than 6 charact...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ethical hacking simplified. cryptographic hashing.

Cryptoghraphy Hashing Hashing is the process of converting plaintext into chipertext. One of the advantage of  hashing is, its  almost impossible to alter. Even if the intruder succeeded in altering the data the receiver will definitely know on receiving the message. Hashing can be seen as a one way encryption process. Its main aim is to confirm the authenticity of data. Hashing output is known as hash, hash value or message digest. How it work When you are sending the message, you will create an encryption with your private key using a particular type of hashing which we will talk about shortly. It will then create gabbled messages which is fixed length and exactly the length of the message. Bundles the chipertext with the plaintext together which are both encrypted. Upon arriving the destination, the receiver will get the public key of the sender and decrypt the message. Mind you hashing is here to confirm the authenticity of the message. After confirming the sender...
Post a Comment
Read more