The discovery and disclosure of a new Android malware by a team of security specialists is now public. The virus can capture audio and track a user’s position. Russian hackers are, known as Turla, previously exploited their malware’s shared-hosting infrastructure. Russian state-sponsored organisations, however, may not be directly linked to the newly found spyware. Instead, it infiltrates Android devices using a malicious APK file that acts as spyware and secretly collects data without alerting the user.
One of the researchers at Lab52, a group that looks for threats, saw the Android virus called Process Manager and took a look. Once it gets install, a gear-shaped icon appeared in the app drawer, pretending to be a pre-installed system service.
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Eighteen permissions requests are there when the app launches for the first time on a device. These permissions include access to phone location, Wi-Fi information, photos and videos taken from the integrated camera sensors, and audio recordings made with the voice recorder.
If the app gets rights by exploiting the Android Accessibility service or deceiving users into granting access, it’s not apparent which method it employs.
However, the malicious software’s icon disappears from the app drawer after running for the first time. After that, however, the programme is still running in the background, and its status appears in the notification bar.
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To begin performing a set of actions, the app configures the device based on the permissions it obtains. In addition, it can capture audio and gather data. It also includes Wi-Fi settings and contacts from the phone on it.
The researchers found that the software captures audio from the device. Then extracts it in the MP3 format from the cache directory. Finally, it transfers all collected data to a Russian server in JSON format.
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More On Android virus!
No one knows where Roz Dhan: Earn Wallet Cash, a malware-infected software accessible on Google Play with over 10 million downloads, comes from. Although, researchers have discovered that the program’s makers have taken advantage of the referral system. As a result of its recommendation system, malware is to download a simple programme that ultimately lets the attackers install it and earn from its referral system.
Since cyber espionage seems to be the primary goal of the attacks, spyware appears to be rare. However, according to Bleeping Computer, apps downloading to earn commissions from their referral system may be a part of a more comprehensive network.
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However, it is a bit of solid advice to Android users to refrain from downloading any applications they do not recognise or suspect. Users should also review app permissions to ensure that other parties do not have access to their devices.
