• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
  • ChatGPT
    • Does ChatGPT Save Data?
AskCyber Home » News » News » Malware Agent Smith Infects 25 Million Android Devices

Malware Agent Smith Infects 25 Million Android Devices

2019-07-11 by Michelle Dvorak

Android Malware Agent Smith

Agent Smith Malware Replaces Android Apps with Infected Versions

A new mobile malware variant has quickly infected about 25 million Android devices in six countries and is spreading fast. The malware, named Agent Smith, quietly replaces apps, like WhatsApp, on an infected device with malware infected versions. Android users are none the wiser as there are no outward clues that the device and its apps are infected. Everything looks and functions the same. The malware was discovered by cyber security researchers at Check Point Research.

Agent Smith Malware exploits known Android vulnerabilities like Janus, Bundle and Man-in-the-Disk. The malware shows fraudulent advertisements on the infected device to make money. Fifteen million of the 25 million infected devices are in India. Agent Smith malware was originally downloaded from the widely-used third party app store, 9Apps, but was also found in the Google Play Store.

Heimdel Malware Protection
Heimdel Malware Protection

How Does Agent Smith Infect a Mobile Device?

Android users are lured into downloading an app from a third-party app store. These are usually free games and adult entertainment apps. The apps also contain a malicious malware payload that will be installed on the device during the download process. Agent Smith is then unpacked, installed, and begins to take over. The malware then attacks and replaces apps from a pre-defined list including popular messaging app WhatsApp as well as MXplayer and ShareIt.

The malware resides on a phone, disguised as a Google app and was originally downloaded from a third-party app vendor. Once it infects a device it automatically replaces installed apps with malicious versions. No user interaction is required for it to work. It initially targeted Asian countries, especially India, but spread to Pakistan, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States

What is Malware?

Malware is any type of unwanted app on a device or any app that was installed without the device owner’s knowledge or permission. Types of malware include ransomware which takes over a computer or device and holds control of files or access until a ransom is pad to hackers. Adware is a type of malware that shows advertisements – real of malicious – on a device. The adverts may be malicious and lure people into downloading more harmful malware or into sending money to fraudulent bank accounts. Some malware infects devices for the sake of spying or collection g information about hardware for future use.

Image Credit: Check Point Research

Agent Smith Malware is Dangerous

According to a post from Checkpoint, the malware “could easily be used for far more intrusive and harmful purposes such as banking credential theft.” Agent Smith Malware hides its own icon on the device to keep its presence hidden from the device’s owner. It impersonates other apps and could expand its list of attacked apps to credit card and banking apps to glean credit card and bank account numbers.

What is Check Point Research?

Check Point Research is the Threat Intelligence division of Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. The company has analysts and cyber security researchers that work to stop hackers and security threats. Cyber security is a global effort with various firms, agencies, and law enforcement cooperating and sharing findings.

How Do I Remove Malware from My Phone?

Do not download games from ads shown in other games or apps. To avoid becoming infected with malware or ransomware, Android users should only download apps from the Google Play store or trusted vendors. Agent Smith was originally downloaded from a popular third-party app site known as 9Apps.

If you have been infected by malware, adware, or a virus then follow the steps below to remove the malicious app. If the malware cannot be located, then remove all recently installed apps or use an antivirus application.

For Android Devices

  1. Tap the Apps Icon on an Android Device
  2. Go to Settings Menu
  3. Click on Apps or Application Manager
  4. Scroll to the suspected app
  5. Tap uninstall

Check Point Research is working with Google and law enforcement to investigate the hackers and the breadth of this malware.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: adware, Agent Smith

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version