27-06-2016, 11:11 AM
Google Play: Malicious Apps That Could Affect 90 Percent of Android Devices Discovered in App Store
The apps called "Godless" would store the root exploits in a device that is running Android version 5.1 and below upon installation, according to a blog post from antivirus provider Trend Micro.
Another week, another scary-sounding security story. Here's why we wouldn't worry too much about "Godless."
Security firm TrendMicro this week "a family of mobile malware called Godless" that it says contained exploits that potentially could root a phone without a user's knowledge. That in and of itself would be bad, opening your phone up to all sorts of nonsense.
And it sounds scary as hell, if you read Trend Micro's blog.
Here's the lede:
We came across a family of mobile malware called Godless (detected asANDROIDOS_GODLESS.HRX) that has a set of rooting exploits in its pockets. By having multiple exploits to use, Godless can target virtually any Android device running on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) or earlier. As of this writing, almost 90% of Android devices run on affected versions. Based on the data gathered from our Trend Micro Mobile App Reputation Service, malicious apps related to this threat can be found in prominent app stores, including Google Play, and has affected over 850,000 devices worldwide.
Security firm TrendMicro this week "a family of mobile malware called Godless" that it says contained exploits that potentially could root a phone without a user's knowledge. That in and of itself would be bad, opening your phone up to all sorts of nonsense.
And it sounds scary as hell, if you read Trend Micro's blog.
Here's the lede:
We came across a family of mobile malware called Godless (detected asANDROIDOS_GODLESS.HRX) that has a set of rooting exploits in its pockets. By having multiple exploits to use, Godless can target virtually any Android device running on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) or earlier. As of this writing, almost 90% of Android devices run on affected versions. Based on the data gathered from our Trend Micro Mobile App Reputation Service, malicious apps related to this threat can be found in prominent app stores, including Google Play, and has affected over 850,000 devices worldwide.