A security researcher has discovered a new deviation of the notorious Android banking Trojan hiding in apps under different names, such as Funny Videos 2017, on Google Play Store. Niels Croese, the security researcher at Securify B.V firm, analyzed the Funny Videos app that has 1,000 to 5,000 installs and found that the app acts like any of the regular video applications on Play Store, but in the background, it targets victims from banks around the world.This newly discovered banking Trojan works like any other banking malware, but two things that makes it different from others are — its capability to target victims and use of DexProtector tool to obfuscate the app’s code.

Once downloaded, the app persistently requests administrative rights, and if granted, the banking malware can control everything that’s happening on an infected smartphone. However, Google has removed this malicious app from its Play Store after receiving the report from the researcher, but this does not mean that more such apps do not exist there with different names.

How to protect yourself?

There are standard protection measures you need to follow to remain unaffected:

• Install a good antivirus app that can detect and block such malware before it can infect your device. Always keep the app up-to-date.
• Always stick to trusted sources, like Google play Store and the Apple App Store, and verify app permissions before installing apps. If any app is asking more than what it is meant for, just do not install it.
• Do not download apps from third party source. Although in this case, the app is being distributed through the official Play Store, most often such malware are distributed via untrusted third-party app stores.
• Avoid unknown and unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots and Keep your Wi-Fi turned OFF when not in use.
• Be careful which apps you give administrative rights to. Admin rights are powerful and can give an app full control of your device.
• Never click on links in SMS or MMS sent to your mobile phone. Even if the email looks legit, go directly to the website of origin and verify any possible updates.