from the You're-going-to-help-us-Mr-Android-whether-you-want-to-or-not dept.
A new virus is ripping through Android devices searching for new opportunities to infect more devices. Nicknamed "Agent Smith" after the Matrix character, the malware is thought to be spreading at an alarming rate.
It infects devices when the user installs an app that contains the malicious code, typically games installed from third-party sites.
From there, Agent Smith scours the device for other apps it can 'feed on' replacing them with a cloned, weaponised version without the user's permission.
Some apps Agent Smith is capable of replicating include WhatsApp, web browser Opera and SwiftKey. It's estimated infected devices contain on average 112 cloned apps.
The dodgy apps work fine and are difficult to detected as the malware is hidden from the device user.
"Armed with all the permissions users had granted to the real apps, Agent Smith was able to hijack other apps on the phone to display unwanted ads to users. That might not seem like a significant problem, but the same security flaws could be used to hijack banking, shopping and other sensitive apps," Check Point's Aviran Hazum said.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 15 2019, @08:28PM
"Hmm, Mr. Anderson. You disappoint me."
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Monday July 15 2019, @10:22PM
Oh... Agent Smith!
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Monday July 15 2019, @10:48PM (6 children)
TFA says eleven apps were spoofed on google play, then quotes some security expert saying only use google play, don't use third party downloads
Why are people downloading these apps so often? Did they get another new phone?
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 4, Informative) by Chocolate on Monday July 15 2019, @11:16PM (5 children)
Not everyone trusts Google. I get a couple of apps from Play after a phone refresh and the rest from F-Droid.
The only third party site I have used was for an old version of Icecat.
A lot of people have no idea about software viruses on their phone. Many think it's safe because it doesn't run Windows.
Bit-choco-coin anyone?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 16 2019, @12:30AM (4 children)
then the users would be better off running Windows. It does at least mostly prevent that, for about two decades now. What abominable stupidity have made Android be so behind?
(Score: 2) by Chocolate on Tuesday July 16 2019, @01:32AM (2 children)
Time for Android antivirus?
Quick! Start a company, spread fear uncertainty and doubt, and corner the market so you can sellout to a company with deep pockets who would rather buy you out instead of trying to compete!
Bit-choco-coin anyone?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 16 2019, @07:01AM (1 child)
Some banking "apps" already have antivirues in 'em. Have a nice day.
(Score: 2) by Chocolate on Tuesday July 16 2019, @12:18PM
I just cannot even imagine using an app on a mobile device that is connected to my bank account. Bank. Account. Think about that. My money. I see that as no different to leaving my wallet open on the counter or table. Open for anyone to see who cares to look. Easy to steal from by anyone swift enough to sneak by who dares to try a little pilfering. Maybe one day mobile devices will be secure enough to trust with bank account details. Today is not that day. Tomorrow isn't looking very good either.
Bit-choco-coin anyone?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 16 2019, @12:20PM
Well, my phone has enough RAM for Windows, but I'm not sure about CPU. Maybe it could run Windows 95?
Start me up? If you start it up I'll never stop.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 16 2019, @01:32PM
"Trojan"