Android has once again by hit by the scourge of malware, this time in the form of malicious software installed on devices even before they reach customers.
Research conducted by Check Point found the ‘severe infection’ pre-installed on 36 devices including smartphones from the likes of Samsung and LG.
“The malware were already present on the devices even before the users received them,” said Check Point in a blog post first spotted here.
“The malicious apps were not part of the official ROM supplied by the vendor, and were added somewhere along the supply chain.”
Related: Android 7.0 Nougat review
If you’re worried about owning one of the affected devices, here’s the full list:
- Samsung Galaxy S7
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2
- Samsung Galaxy A5
- Oppo N3
- Vivo X6 plus
- Asus Zenfone 2
- Lenovo S90
- Oppo R7 plus
- Xiaomi Redmi
- Lenovo A850
- LG G4
- Xiaomi Mi4i
- ZTE x500
*Not every version of the models named above is affected
The majority of the malicious software is made up of info-stealers and rough ad networks. The worry is that one of them is Slocker, a mobile ransomware.
“Slocker uses the AES encryption algorithm to encrypt all files on the device and demand ransom in return for their decryption key. Slocker uses Tor for its C&C communications,” Check Point added.
Even without this news, Android device owners are often advised to download and run mobile antivirus software as soon as they purchase a smartphone or tablet running the OS.
If your device is on the list above and you are worried, the best thing to do is back-up your smartphone or tablet and perform a factory reset.
Watch: What we know about the Samsung Galaxy S8
Does this kind of malware push you to switch from Android to iOS? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
