Before you download another new app onto your Android phone beware. Security experts are warning that a vicious banking bug is making a serious nuisance of itself and it could leave those who mistakenly download it out of pocket.
The Xenomorph Android malware was first spotted by the team at ThreatFabric last year with this original software able to intercept unique identity codes that banks send to make logging into accounts more secure.
That version of the bug was thought to have been installed over 50,000 times but now this worrying issue is back and it's much more threatening than before.
In fact, TreatFabric says that the criminals behind Xenomorph have managed to make things far more advanced with the malware now able to automatically hack accounts and perform tasks such as stealing account balances and even making unauthorized transactions such as transferring funds to another account.
Threatfabric has confirmed that Xenomorph is now able to completely automate the whole fraud chain, from infection to funds exfiltration, making it one of the most advanced and dangerous Android Malware trojans in circulation.
It's thought that more than 400 banking and financial institutions, including several cryptocurrency wallets, have been targeted by the malware - that's a whopping six times more than the previous generation of Xenomorph.
Most of the attacks appear to have taken place in Spain, Turkey and the US. The UK isn't mentioned in the latest report but similar attacks have taken place in Britain before and there's nothing to suggest that users won't be targeted in the future so it's vital to stay alert. If you have recently downloaded an application and things don't feel right then it's worth keeping a close eye on your bank account to make sure no strange transactions are taking place.
Speaking about the issue, Threatfabric said in a blog post: "The Xenomorph saga highlights once more that actors are switching their focus on mobile malware. The latest version of Xenomorph included large improvements from its previous iteration, adding Automated Transfer System (ATS) capabilities, which elevate the threat level of this family even more.
"ThreatFabric expects Xenomorph to increase in volume, with the likelihood of being one again distributed via droppers on the Google Play Store."
With Google Play likely to be a target for future attacks, it's a good idea to check before downloading any new apps.
Read the reviews and check the developer who created the software has a good reputation. If you're unsure. Stay clear!
