Last Updated on 1 year by admin
Do you know that a virus can allow hackers to access all the information on your Android device? A new attack reports that hackers have already gained access with the help of some dangerous apps. Don’t freak out just yet; we have all the details listed to keep you safe from the virus attack.
As we discovered. The same group of hackers who made the BlackRock and ERMAC Android banking viruses has now made a new piece of malware called Hook, which gives them even more remote control and access to the infected smartphone and its data.
Hackers can take control of your Smartphone Remotely
This new virus is distinctive because of how hackers use it. It has all the qualities of its predecessors and would be available for just over $5,000 per month.
However, its primary ability is to take control of victims’ devices. Moreover, it also adds remote access capabilities and joins Octo and Hydra, which can do full device takeover (DTO) and complete the whole fraud chain from PII exfiltration to transaction, according to the Dutch cybersecurity firm ThreatFabric.
A “file manager” command converts the virus into a file manager. Hackers should be able to download any file they want and see everything on the device. The popular instant messaging service WhatsApp has a weak point that lets Hook keep track of all conversations. In addition, it allows hackers to send messages using the victim’s account.
Unlike other malicious software, this virus is commercially available globally. Hook is mostly interested in financial applications in the United States, Australia, Poland, Canada, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.
Apps that you need to get rid of using on your Android device
Malware was designed to target the Google Play Store. 34 + safe-looking apps that contained some of the most dangerous Trojans in recent memory managed to enter the official Android and Chrome OS app stores despite their security measures. One of them is known simply as “the Joker,” which has gained widespread notoriety.
Apart from Joker malware, there are also Trojans such as Autolycos and Harley. These malware programs were made to get past Google Play Protect security and were allowed to be put on the Google Play Store.
Security professionals at SecneurX were the ones who discovered the flaw. In addition, they compiled a list of each Android-targeted virus that was found in an application that had been compromised.
A list of Android applications that have been found to have security vulnerabilities
- Grape Camera & Photo Editor – Harly – +5000
- Glucometer – Joker – + 100
- Clever Clean – Battery Saver– Harly – +500
- Album Live Wallpaper & Theme – Harly – +1000
- Shortcut Screen Mirroring – Joker – +5000
- Mind Message – Joker – +1000
- Extended Cast Screen – Joker – +500
- Color Painting – Joker – +100 0
- Heart Rate Monitor – Joker – +500
- Fun Paint & Coloring – Harly – +10000
- Easy Voice Changer – Joker – +0
- Logo Design Maker – Joker – +1000
- Funny Emoji Keyboard – Joker – +10000
- Animal Doodle Drawing – Joker – +5000
- Paper Color – Autolycos – +10000
- Skill QR Scanner – Joker – +500
- Fast PDF Scanner – Joker – +0
- Fast Voice Translator – Joker – +500
- Perfect Face Changer – Joker – +5000
- Effects Photo Editor – Joker – +1000
- Super Emoji Editor & Sticker – Harly – +10000
- Blue Voice Changer – Harly – +10000
- Cool Screen Mirroring – Joker – +10000
- Phone Cleaner Lite – Joker – +5000
- Digital Clock Always Show – Autolycos – +100
- Live Wallpaper – HD 3D/4D – Autolycos – +500
- Beauty Christmas Songs – Joker – +1000
- Epica Gamebox & Hub – Harly – +10000
- Magic Face AI – Joker – +1000
- Love Stickers – Joker – +1000
- HD Screen Mirroring – Joker – +0
- Phone to TV – Joker – +1
- Photo language translator– Joker – +1000
- Effect Voice Changer – Joker – +0
- Color Paint & Draw Master – Harly –+10,000
The list doesn’t stop here
SecneurX has already notified Google to start the removal of these infected apps. As a result, most of these infected apps have already been taken out of the Google Play Store.
Looking at the app and its description, none of the listed apps appear suspicious to us. However, the hackers have cleverly hidden their work behind these apps, making it appear genuine. Furthermore, these apps also include registering the user for premium services. which will help the hackers obtain private data and sensitive data without any problem.
Now it’s time for the public to protect their privacy against hackers. Furthermore, we strongly advise you to remove these apps from your Android smart devices.
The risks of Malware
Malware can act in different ways. Here are some common risks and actions that malware can cause.
- Data theft: Malware can steal passwords, credit cards, and personal information
- System damage: Malware can destroy files, slow down or crash a device or network, or do all of the above
- Disruption of the network: Malware can infect other devices on a network and cause havoc
- Ransomware: Malware that encrypts files and demands payment to unlock them
- Financial losses: Malware can empty bank accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or transfer money from the victim’s account
- Malware can spy on users by taking screenshots, recording keystrokes, or using their camera and microphone
- Botnets are made up of “zombie” devices that have malware on them. It can be used to attack other websites or networks with a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack
- Identity theft: Malware can steal personal information that can be used to steal the victim’s identity
Keeping a watchful eye out for malicious software is the most effective way to avoid having your smartphone or computer become infected with it. Also, a few things can be identified as precautions, such as using antivirus software from a well-known brand. Install the latest software updates and bug fixes.Try to get apps only from known sources, even if those apps are listed on the Play Store. Avoid installing APK files from unknown resources.
Hope this post was helpful for you to stay away from data breaches and malware attacks. Lastly, I’d like to share something that comes from my own personal experience. Never install apps in a hurry just to get something done. When we install something in a hurry, we never read the description or the reviews. Not only that, we don’t even bother to keep an eye on what permissions we allow. Therefore, it is best not to install apps in a hurry.
