NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Technology News / 2.5 crore Android phones hit by critical malware: Details here
    Next Article
    2.5 crore Android phones hit by critical malware: Details here

    2.5 crore Android phones hit by critical malware: Details here

    By Shubham Sharma
    Jul 11, 2019
    04:33 pm

    What's the story

    More than 2.5 crore Android devices have been compromised by 'Agent Smith,' a critical malware that masquerades as a Google-owned product.

    The program sneaks into user devices without getting noticed and infects legitimate apps like WhatsApp and Flipkart to display fraudulent ads.

    Reports indicate it has already affected nearly 1.5 crore devices in India.

    Here's everything you need to know.

    Details

    Agent Smith spreads from games, photo, sex-related apps

    The malware, first flagged and reported by Check Point Research, spreads through barely functioning apps and games downloaded from third-party app stores like 9Apps.

    Once the app is installed, its malware installs a fake Google Updater and stays hidden from the eyes of the users.

    Then, it looks for legitimate apps and compromises them without giving a hint to the user.

    Infection

    How legit apps are infected

    The fake Google Updater scans the list of legit apps on the device and exploits Android vulnerabilities to replace their APK parts with malicious code.

    Basically, it switches a functional version of an app with a malicious one, designed to display ads.

    The malware can infect apps ranging from WhatsApp and Jio Chat to Truecaller and Flipkart without giving a hint of what's happening.

    Attack

    Then, the ads generate money for fraudsters

    Though the malware-modified apps do not steal personal data or banking credentials, they force display ads on phones.

    This way, they illegally register ad views and generate profits for the masterminds behind the malware.

    Notably, the malicious program prevents the infected apps from being updated and appears largely focused on users in India and nearby countries.

    Information

    Plenty of devices compromised

    Agent Smith has infected nearly 1.5 crore devices in India and has managed to make its way into the US, where some 300,000 devices have been affected. More worryingly, it had even entered Google Play Store through some 11 apps, which have now been removed.

    Action

    Google, law enforcement units informed about the malware

    The researchers have informed Google and law enforcement agencies about the malware to curb its exploitation.

    But, here's the thing, Google had patched the vulnerabilities years ago; it is the developers who have not updated their apps to close the loophole.

    Hopefully, they will fix their apps considering the wild impact of Agent Smith in India and nearby nations.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Flipkart
    WhatsApp
    United States of America

    Latest

    Decoding SRH's highest team totals vs RCB in IPL Ishan Kishan
    'Drank a lot...battled loneliness': Vindu Dara Singh remembers Mukul Dev Celebrity
    CBFC approves 'Dhadak 2' after 16 cuts, modifies caste references  Central Board of Film Certification
    Counter-Strike maker to launch a brain chip later this year Neuralink

    Flipkart

    Galaxy S10's pre-orders to start from tomorrow via Flipkart India
    Flipkart's Month-end Mobile Fest: Top smartphone deals for every budget Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    Flipkart Women's Day Sale: Top deals on best-selling budget smartphones Nokia 5
    Flipkart sale: Amazing discounts on best selling ASUS smartphones India

    WhatsApp

    Is WhatsApp consuming your phone's memory? Here's the solution Android
    Pacer Mohammed Shami's wife arrested for creating ruckus, later released Indian Premier League (IPL)
    #TechBytes: Top entry-level feature phones that can run WhatsApp 4G
    Facebook co-founder calls for 'breakup' of the social network Facebook

    United States of America

    Newark-Mumbai flights suspended by United Airlines: Here's why Mumbai
    #GamingBytes: Pokemon Go-like game featuring Harry Potter released Harry Potter
    US President Trump raped me, says writer; he denies allegations Donald Trump
    Punjab: Prime accused in 2015 sacrilege case murdered inside jail Punjab
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025