Malware swaps apps for fake versions and affects more than 75,000 Brazilians | Downloads

In a report released on Tuesday (30) by cyber security company Check Point, Brazil appears as one of the countries with the largest number of devices infected with malware. In all, the country has over 75,000 Android phones and tablets hit by Agent Smith. However, the attacks are aimed mainly at devices configured with Hindi, Arabic, Russian and Indonesian languages.

Malware swaps apps for fake versions and affects 25 million phones

Malware that works out of other apps has affected more than 75,000 Brazilians Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetcMalware that works out of other apps has affected more than 75,000 Brazilians Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc

Malware that works out of other apps has affected more than 75,000 Brazilians Photo: Anna Kellen Bull / dnetc

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Malware has reached more than 25 million infected devices worldwide. Its strategy is linked to third party stores and unofficial platforms for distributing APKs. The 9apps, linked Alibaba, one of the web sites identified as sources for the attacks. However, at least 11 Google Play Store apps have been deleted because they contain portions of malicious code.

Agent Smith has been detected as impersonating apps like WhatsApp, MX Player and Truecaller, popular programs that do not raise any suspicion from users. Infected devices typically run Android 5 (Lollipop) or 6 (Marshmallow) systems. The malware exploits the Janus vulnerability and does not affect devices running Android 7 (Nougat) or later versions of Google's system.

Map of Countries Affected by Agent Smith Malware Foto: Divulgao / Check PointMap of Countries Affected by Agent Smith Malware Foto: Divulgao / Check Point

Map of Countries Affected by Agent Smith Malware Foto: Divulgao / Check Point

The main recommendations for not having your smartphone infected by Agent Smith are: Do not download applications from unofficial sources and keep a virus prevention software installed on your device.

The damage caused by malware is targeted to generate financial gain for developers. In reported attacks, Agent Smith has been used to profit from malicious advertisements, but its features do not prevent it from registering personal data and bank passwords. With silent action, it is able to hide its boot icon and fool users by impersonating very popular applications.

According to Check Point, the proliferation of malware shows that users need to take basic care so that their data is not exposed. In addition, the company points out that the Android ecosystem and its developers need to look for fixes for vulnerabilities that could expose the system to even greater dangers.

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