Security measures are not the only ones seeing improvements! Malicious apps are also figuring out new ways to enhance its working, and one such Android malware proves this.
According to a report byArsTechnica, a new Android malware makes use of themotion sensorsof Android smartphonesto hide itselfbefore infecting the device.
The method used is to befool the various security measures taken to get rid of malware. For instance, security researchers typically useAndroid emulatorsto detect malicious apps. Now, these aren’t actual smartphones and hencedo not use any sensors.
Also, the emulators aren’t coded to emulate motion by default because it is deemed unnecessary.Malware authors used this loophole to create malicious apps that willstay inactiveif theydon’t detectmotionfrom the smartphone.
This methodeffectively hides themwhile being tested on the emulators. But once they are downloaded on devices with motion sensors, they proceed further toinstall Trojansin the smartphones that cansteal sensitive informationand credentials of the users.
Security firm Trend Micro detected such malware present on two apps, namely,BatterySaverMobiandCurrency Converter. Both the apps have been taken down from the Google Play Store once they were discovered as malicious.
The apps didn’t record more than5,000 downloadswhich ensures that the amount of damage caused is less.But it sure makes a point that malicious app coders are getting smarter and enhancing their capabilities, hence users must ensure they download apps cautiously from verified sources only.
