Cryptocurrency mining malware sneaks onto Google Play
The recent attack in the digital world is the crypto currency mining virus getting past in Google play. A mobile security organization which is located in San Francisco, has identified a new bitcoin mining malware that targets mobile devices and specially the one with Google Play Store. The malware is named as 'BadLepricon', the malware works on a highly sophisticated mining method wherein t picks up the wallpaper app to target its audience. The malware was designed to attack and deliver via a wallpaper app. Lookout smartphone security company identified five separate apps that contained BadLepricon, and Google removed the apps asap after being informed by the mobile security firm. The company declared the discovery in a 24th April blog post, stating the specifics of the malware. CoinDesk spoke with Michael Bentley, head of Lookout’s research and response team, who said that the malware presents a new level of sophistication not normally seen in this type of cyberattack, adding that the malware writer knew what he or she was doing.This week, the app that contains cryptocurrency mining capabilities on the Google Play Store, was discovered which was masquerading as the Cooee game. Almost 1,000 and 5,000 users downloaded this app. It was detected the malware as JSMiner and Google was informed about this app also.
How does Cryptocurrency mining malware sneaks onto Google Play?
This malware uses this wallpaper apps which generally has images of anime girls and ‘attractive men’, according to Lookout. As a clever and secure method of making sure the phone’s battery doesn’t go out it checks the phone’s battery level every five seconds before the bitcoin mining is completed. This malware attracts its users into an endless loop with the intention of gaining the maximum benefit after the infection in the computer. BadLepricon malware makes sure the battery level is always running at more than 50 percent capacity, then the phone’s display is turned off, and the phone is connected to a network. As a feasible method of gaining bitcoins, the mining malware needs to be on hundreds, if not thousands of different devices, as per a recent mining report, by using this method out of 600 quadcore servers it was only able to generate 0.4 bitcoins over the period of one year. After the successful completion of this method of bitcoin mining, the team behind this research believes this method of smartphone mining could be a potential business model.
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Tips to Prevent Cryptocurrency from Infecting Your System:
1. Enable your popup blocker: Pop-ups and ads in the websites are the most adoptable tactic used by cybercriminals or developers with the core intention to spread malicious programs. So, avoid clicking uncertain sites, software offers, pop-ups etc.
2. Keep your Windows Updated: To avoid such infections, we recommend that you should always keep your system updated through automatic windows update. By doing this you can keep your device free from virus. According to the survey, outdated/older versions of Windows operating system are an easy target.
3. Third-party installation: Try to avoid freeware download websites as they usually install bundled of software with any installer or stub file.
4. Regular Backup: Regular and periodical backup helps you to keep your data safe in case the system is infected by any kind of virus or any other infection. Thus always backup important files regularly on a cloud drive or an external hard drive.
5. Always have an Anti-Virus: Precaution is better than cure. We recommend that you install an antivirus like McAfee or a good Malware Removal Tool like Free Malware RemovalTool
6. Install a powerful ad- blocker for Chrome, Mozilla,and IE.
