Watch Out For Sneaky Trojan Apps On Your Android Device

Phone apps are the bane of my existence. I try to use as few as possible because I feel like they're cluttering up my phone and taking up all of my storage. But one of the things that seems more concerning now is the advent of “Trojan” apps. 

This is especially prevalent for Android devices. The Android App Store Seems to be for the most part benign, but the real problem shows up when people recommend apps in social media or emails. Watch out for financial and cryptocurrency apps. 

According to msn.com,
‘The malware is not only capable of stealing sensitive financial data off infected devices, but it also works quietly in the background like an infostealer, so it can avoid detection and continue to steal data from victims after the initial heist. Once it’s enabled on one of the best Android phones, it can also take over a device and read whatever is on the screen, tap buttons and even fill in forms. Likewise, it uses fake login screens to perform overlay attacks on top of real banking and cryptocurrency apps in order to steal any usernames and passwords that are entered by the victim.’ 

Once one of these fake apps is downloaded onto your Android phone it starts to ask you for “special permissions.” It will tell you that if you permit a certain action that it will speed up the use of your phone, but that's not the case, it will actually open up your phone to hackers. 

If you think you might have a malicious app, one of the things you can do is check the “Accessibility Service” section of your Android phone. Looking through it will give you a good indicator of whether or not you have any Trojans lurking around inside. 

These Trojan apps can also connect with remote servers and allow hackers to upload their malicious updates and then erase any tracks that would show that it had occurred. Most of the activity from this malware seems to be occurring in Southeast Asia, but There's nothing to stop it from heading in our direction. 

If you're serious about protecting your data from malware, the first thing you need to know. is to stick to trusted first Party app stores. (Like your Google Play store) Don't download an app off of a Forum, E-mail or text. 

Remember If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be skeptical, be careful, and protect your data.
Dangerous new Android trojan is taking over phones and draining bank accounts — how to stay safe
|90+ malicious Android apps with 5.5m installs found spreading malware on the Play Store — protect yourself now | Tom's Guide