Google Warns Android Users About Hackers Taking Control Of Bank And Social Media Accounts

By: The Negros Times

Many Android users around the world have been warned about a frightening new threat that strikes when you least expect it.

A victim recently found an unusual activity on her social media accounts posting spam stories, direct messages, and in-feed posts.

Hackers have devised a method of duping people into believing their phone is turned off when, in fact, the cyber criminals have installed a phony black screen to cover what they're up to. They can also turn off brightness and notifications remotely so that the victims don't become suspicious. Meaning, they can go ahead and do whatever they want on your phone without you knowing.

As if they were holding the phone in their hands, the spyware allows them to tap, write, copy, and edit what they see.

Even more concerning, it has the ability to observe your own behavior, which is especially beneficial for obtaining critical PINs and passwords.

"Octo" is a type of on-device fraud and banking malware also called "ExobotCompact", a variation of a nasty trojan that has been around since 2018.

“ExobotCompact/Octo has dangerous capabilities, powered by inventive distribution schemes including droppers on official Google Play store and malicious landing pages.. Thus, customers are very likely to fall into installing the malware on their devices, allowing the actors to have remote access to their devices and therefore to their banking accounts." according to Threat Fabric, a Fraud & Cybercrime prevention platform, who also discovered it on the dark web, which is home to some of the internet's worst offenders where criminals skulk.

Google Warns Android Users About Hackers Taking Control Of Bank And Social Media Accounts

Apps that are out-of-date can become buggy and problematic, full of security flaws, which hackers like to take advantage of.

The majority of them entice individuals to download malware by posting bogus on web browsers, or by masquerading as a legitimate Google Play Store app, even through an update/download notification on the internet.

Some applications known to contain Octo include:

• Play Store app install (com.theseeye5)

• Play Store (com.restthe71)

• Fast Cleaner 2021 (vizeeva.fast.cleaner)

• Pocket Screencaster (com.moh.screen)

• Postbank Security (com.carbuildz)

• Pocket Screencaster (com.cutthousandjs)

• BAWAG PSK Security (com.frontwonder2)

Android Users have been warned by Google to be cautious in clicking malicious links or odd website pop-ups when visiting any website for they may contain malware that could hack your device in seconds.