‘Agent Smith’ malware replaces legit Android apps with fake ones on 25 million devices

guest · Jul 10, 2019

‘Agent Smith’ malware replaces legit Android apps with fake ones on 25 million devices
July 10, 2019
https://thenextweb.com/security/201...id-apps-with-fake-ones-on-25-million-devices/

Dubbed Agent Smith, the malware has been found to exploit known weaknesses in the Android operating system to replace legitimate installed apps on the device with malicious versions without requiring users’ intervention.
Based on their research, Agent Smith has been found to leverage its broad access privileges to display fraudulent ads.

In its present form, Agent Smith is being exploited for financial gain by serving malicious advertisements. But given its capabilities to impersonate popular Android apps, the researchers caution that “there are endless possibilities for this sort of malware to harm a user’s device.”
The Impact
“Agent Smith droppers show a very greedy infection tactic,” Check Point noted. “It’s not enough for this malware family to swap just one innocent application with an infected double. It does so for each and every app on the device as long as the package names are on its prey list.”
Click to expand...

Check Point - Press Release: 25 Million Infected Devices: Check Point Research Discovers New Variant of Mobile Malware
Check Point: Agent Smith: A New Species of Mobile Malware

Log in or Sign up

‘Agent Smith’ malware replaces legit Android apps with fake ones on 25 million devices

guest Guest

Log in or Sign up

‘Agent Smith’ malware replaces legit Android apps with fake ones on 25 million devices

guest Guest

Useful Searches