Already assigned 25 million Android smartphones



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Security experts have discovered an Android malware that has infected 25 million devices without its owners having heard about it. As the security company Check Point says, if the Malwarecalled "Agent Smith", disguised as a Google-related application. the Malware Then use several known Android vulnerabilities to replace automatically installed applications with malicious versions.

According to Check Point, users in Asian countries are particularly affected, such as Pakistan or bangladesh, However, are also in Britain. Australia and the USA infected a "considerable" number of devices. Compared to "heise Security", Check Point has announced that in Germany no infection is known.

According to Check Point, "Agent Smith" was used to make money through fraudulent advertising. However, the Malware easily cause much more damage – for example, in which confidential data is exploited.

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It works like that WhatsApp virus "Agent Smith" in front of

"Agent Smith" deploys its harm in three phases: getting users to download an infected application from an AppStore such as 9Apps. Often, for example, they are disguised as free games, useful applications or badgraphic applications. The so-called "dropper app" then examines whether already popular applications such as WhatsApp or MXplayer are installed on the device. In the second phase, "Agent Smith" smuggles malware at. In the third step, harmless apps are replaced by malicious apps, which then serve unwanted ads.

Google Play Store on arrival

The incident shows that smartphone users must use their applications exclusively from reliable sources. Third-party vendors such as 9Apps would often lack the necessary security measures, said Check Point.

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According to CheckPoint, however, it would appear that the manufacturers behind "Agent Smith" and the Google Play Store have planned. The company had during its investigations in the Google Play Store has discovered eleven applications with a connection to "Agent Smith". Google has the affected applications of his Google Play Store deleted.

From RND / asu

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