Millions of Android Devices Victim to Cryptomining

Forum Moderators: open

Message Too Old, No Replies

Millions of Android Devices Victim to Cryptomining

Drive-by cryptomining campaign targets millions of Android users

keyplyr

5:55 am on Feb 14, 2018 (gmt 0)

Millions of Android devices have quietly fallen victim to a “drive-by” campaign that uses the mobile device’s computing power to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero, researchers at cybersecurity firm Malwarebtyes found.

Malvertising and online fraud through forced redirects and Trojanized apps—to cite the two most common examples—are increasingly plaguing Android users. In many cases, this is made worse by the fact that people often don’t use web filtering or security applications on their mobile devices.

[blog.malwarebytes.com...]

robzilla

11:44 am on Feb 14, 2018 (gmt 0)

this is made worse by the fact that people often don’t use web filtering or security applications on their mobile devices

"And by sheer coincidence, we sell these things!"

TorontoBoy

11:46 am on Feb 14, 2018 (gmt 0)

I am not surprised at this at all. A year ago I was scarped mercilessly by a bot that I traced to a huge group of Indonesian cell phones, all with different IP addresses. Android is very porous in their permissions. People load apps like they change underwear and really cannot trace down what apps are running how much of their processor.

Unless you put a phone in a Wireshark monitored network you really have no clue what is going on with your Android device. Most people don't pay attention and really don't care. Unlimited bandwidth will only make this situation worse.

keyplyr

12:07 pm on Feb 14, 2018 (gmt 0)

I use Lookout. Scans everything coming in/out.

I can easily see what apps are doing what and when.

I don't install 3rd party apps. Never had a problem.