If there is something that is very present in recent times are cryptocurrencies. Its boom has invited many users to invest in this type of digital currency. However, now according to the reports recently security companies have discovered a new malware that can literally destroy your phone.
This Android Malware Can Literally Destroy Your Phone
If there is something that is very present in recent times are cryptocurrencies. Its boom has invited many users to invest in this type of digital currency. The problem is that, in parallel, the related malware has also increased. Hidden cryptocurrency miners have emerged for both computer and mobile devices. One of them is Loapi, a variety that could destroy an Android phone if users do not eliminate it in time.
Malware that can destroy your phone
This variety of malware known as Loapi damages mobile devices and the reason is that it overheats and overloads the device’s components. This causes the battery to bulge, deform the cover and even stop working or burn other components.
The main function of this malware is to mine cryptocurrencies. As we know, it uses system resources to do this. It puts the maximum capacity of a device and this causes the damage we have discussed. It is something like if we took a car and we always took it to the maximum of revolutions. It could heat up or suffer engine failure. The same happens on a computer or, in this case, Android mobile devices.
It has been discovered by Kaspersky Labs. Researchers say that Loapi seems to have evolved from Podec, a strain of malware detected in 2015. Back then, cybercriminals used Podec to bypass Advice of Charge (AoC) and CAPTCHAs to subscribe victims to SMS services from the top rate.
Advanced malware
The new Loapi malware is much more advanced compared to the simplistic Podec variety. Kaspersky experts call it a “game for everything” because Loapi has a highly advanced modular structure and components for all kinds of unpleasant operations. For example, the new Loapi malware includes modules for:-
- Mine Monero
- Install a proxy to send traffic
- Inject ads in the notifications area
- Show ads in other apps
- Open URL in browsers
- Download and install other applications
- Launch DDoS attacks
- Track web pages (subscribe users to payment platforms, for example)
Currently, Loapi advertises itself in third-party app stores. It pretends to be a mobile antivirus or an adult application.
The malware uses the classic trick of annoying users with an endless stream of pop-up windows until the user does what the malware wants. This is how Loapi gets the administrator rights of the device and how Loapi forces users to uninstall real antivirus applications from their phones.
Applications infected with Loapi will also close the Settings window when they detect that a user is trying to deactivate their administrator account. Users will have to start their device in safe mode to remove Loapi. The procedure to start in safe mode is different depending on the smartphone model.
While Loapi has not entered the official Google Play store, security researchers from Kaspersky and ESET discovered other strains of malware that did.
For example, Kaspersky discovered 85 applications that were infected with a Trojan that would steal VK’s login credentials. According to the statistics of download of Play Store, it seems that more than a million users have installed these applications.
So, what do you think about this? Simply share your views and thoughts in the comment section below.
