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Preinstalled Android Malware Targeting Mobile Users

Zarathustra[H]

Zarathustra[H]

Extremely [H]
Joined
Oct 29, 2000
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Check Point Software Technologies has released a report showing that many popular Android smartphones are being infected with malware and spyware before users take delivery of their new devices. Researchers have determined that the malware is not a part of the the official vendors images for the devices, but that someone with malicious intent is installing the malware somewhere in the supply chain between when the official image is flashed on the device, and the user takes delivery.

It is worth noting that Checkpoint sells mobile security software, and thus has a horse in the race when it comes to getting people to be concerned about mobile malware, so maybe this should be taken with a grain of salt, but either way, I think going forward I'll be adding a "flash phone with fresh ROM image directly from vendor" step to my new phone setup routine. I've done this whenever I've picked up a used phone, but hadn't even though of doing it on new phones before.

"Most of the malware found to be pre-installed on the devices were info-stealers and rough ad networks, and one of them was Slocker, a mobile ransomware. Slocker uses the AES encryption algorithm to encrypt all files on the device and demand ransom in return for their decryption key. Slocker uses Tor for its C&C communications."
 
One of the reasons why mobile pay isn't the panacea that the phone/CC companies make it out to be. Coupled with the spyware/malware that gets installed disguised as useful apps, one has to wonder what percentage of phones/portable devices are spyware free.
 
Dead Parrot said:
One of the reasons why mobile pay isn't the panacea that the phone/CC companies make it out to be. Coupled with the spyware/malware that gets installed disguised as useful apps, one has to wonder what percentage of phones/portable devices are spyware free.
Click to expand...
0% is the answer. From all the CIA stuff coming out recently no device is safe.
 
vegeta535 said:
0% is the answer. From all the CIA stuff coming out recently no device is safe.
Click to expand...
Many banks here still use Windows 98 for their ATMs and maybe more? So even if your system is safe, is it really beyond reason that you're not the weak link in the system? Why target a mobile or home user device when you can hit the business everyone uses?
 
Poik said:
Many banks here still use Windows 98 for their ATMs and maybe more? So even if your system is safe, is it really beyond reason that you're not the weak link in the system? Why target a mobile or home user device when you can hit the business everyone uses?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but are the ATM's on a public network, or are they on an air-gapped special purpose network, making them pretty difficult to hit?
 
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