12 replies to this topic

[eyecre8]

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

 

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

  4.81KB   76 downloads

A new Android Trojan application has been found which behaves like a mobile spam botnet.

Typical methods of infection are at play spreading via text messages offering free versions of popular paid-for games such as Need for Speed - Most wanted and Angry Birds Space.

Messages come in the following format:

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

The text message encourages users to click on a hyperlink that takes them to the game installer. Launching the installer only succeeds in installing the SpamSoldier Trojan which in turn uses your phone to send out a whopping 500,000 texts a day!

Reports show that in some cases an actual game is installed to distract the user from thinking anything shady may have occurred. Current reports show the primary region where infection is most rampant is within the US market.

The Trojan is distributed from, largely, ".mobi" sites on a server in Hong Kong. Apparently the developer of this app tried soliciting it as an anti-SMS spam utility which didn't captivate many peoples attention. The switch to free games proved much more successful. As of late November, the spam messages sent out to other phones have changed to include a new scam pertaining to free gift cards.

This new message comes say something to the effect of:

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

The primary negative impact appears to be the large amount of SMS messages sent and the potential this has to result in charges to the user and/or a slowdown of the carrier’s network.

You can protect yourself by not downloading apps from untrusted sources and by using a mobile security app such as Lookout (Available from the Google Play as well as

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

/)

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

 

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

  27.12KB   74 downloads

Via:

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

Please Login or Register to see this Hidden Content

[satman80]

Unreal, People have nothing better to do than do harm to others these days... I am not sure how anyone would find this funny..

[Thach]

Yea this stuff is getting crazy. What really gets me is some of the apps people will download without looking at the permissions it requests. I've seen some wallpaper apps that wants access to contacts, network, phone state, just all kinds of things that I don't think a wallpaper app needs access to. There are always going to be dishonest people doing anything to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Knowledge is the best defense IMO.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[satman80]

Yea this stuff is getting crazy. What really gets me is some of the apps people will download without looking at the permissions it requests. I've seen some wallpaper apps that wants access to contacts, network, phone state, just all kinds of things that I don't think a wallpaper app needs access to. There are always going to be dishonest people doing anything to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Knowledge is the best defense IMO.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, Exactly why I try and avoid some wallpapers and stuff like that.. "Wow that looks cool" But giving them access to my contacts and all that.. Noooooo way! Actually, last time I bought something from the store, my Bank Card number was stolen 2 weeks later, and I never do much as far as I always go to the same places around here at home.. Anyways, it was horrible! They charged almost 900$ before the card got turned off from theft place, they were quick but not quick enough. I just hope they catch these people! But ya good advice to post thach, always look what it wants access to..

[aktrazer]

This stuff is ridiculous. People really are just bored. What's the end game for this stuff? Just to send more SMS messages? Advertising? It's just sad.

[eyecre8]

Unreal, People have nothing better to do than do harm to others these days... I am not sure how anyone would find this funny..

The motives these days aren't so much for kicks... they are driven when $$$ can be gained.

[johnthehillbilly]

Yea this stuff is getting crazy. What really gets me is some of the apps people will download without looking at the permissions it requests. I've seen some wallpaper apps that wants access to contacts, network, phone state, just all kinds of things that I don't think a wallpaper app needs access to. There are always going to be dishonest people doing anything to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Knowledge is the best defense IMO.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Can't imagine why a wallpaper app would need crazy permissions like that.... but like what has been said many many times, a lot of people just don't pay attention.... until something bad happens ....

sent from my JB RAZR tapadriving

[Brutus06]

I use the app called LBE Privacy Guard to restrict the permissions on apps to what I see as suitable. I have seen a couple of these Target gift cards texts come to my phone, promptly deleted them.

[Whipping_Post+1]

I use the app called LBE Privacy Guard to restrict the permissions on apps to what I see as suitable. I have seen a couple of these Target gift cards texts come to my phone, promptly deleted them.

Thanks for the info. With what we put on our phones..I mean mine has more on it than my computer does in some personal ways, we should protect ourselves the same way we lock our door at night. I never never have really taken heed of what system permissions that an app asked for when installing. But, I also have been the victim of having my bank card info jacked and having to cancel and go through the headache of reestablishing my personal privacy. There were a few quick charges put on the card but, luckily(ironically). I didn't have much money so there was a very short road to pave until back on the dirty road of crime. I had Lookout at the time when my info was hacked. Not impressed with their service. AndroidLost is a better phone locator and I recently in stalled Avast and it seems to have a more solid virus database to check signatures from.

[johnthehillbilly]

I use the app called LBE Privacy Guard to restrict the permissions on apps to what I see as suitable. I have seen a couple of these Target gift cards texts come to my phone, promptly deleted them.

So far from what I've read ... LBE is a decent app but.... not playing nice on JB tho....

sent from my JB RAZR ... tapadriving

[Brutus06]

So far from what I've read ... LBE is a decent app but.... not playing nice on JB tho....

sent from my JB RAZR ... tapadriving

The only down side of the app is that I have seen a decrease in battery due to the fact it runs constantly. That is a price I will pay to restrict apps from being able to touch things they don't need to.

[johnthehillbilly]

Yep battery life is a small price to pay for security ....

sent from my JB RAZR ... tapadriving

[Monkeh]

Didn't see android trojans coming....