Devious new malware steals your money, then wipes your phone

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Malware has been around for years. While variants come in different levels of severity, they are extremely dangerous when targeting your smartphone.

Unlike Apple's closed ecosystem, anybody can make an app for Android with few checks and balances. Unfortunately, it also leaves Android users vulnerable to malware, as hackers can easily bury malicious code in an application.

An updated virus is shocking proof of this. Read on to discover how Brazillian malware went from spyware to potentially wiping out your device.

Here's the backstory

A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) known as BRATA has been around since 2019. At the time, it was used as spyware and exclusively targeted Android users in Brazil. It was able to capture a victim's screen in real-time.

BRATA initially spread through the Google Play Store as a fake WhatsApp update, with over 10,000 downloads that targeted around 500 users a day. The RAT eventually disappeared.

But almost three years later, it returned as a more harmful variant. It is no longer just a tool for spying. It now goes after banking details and can wipe your Android phone after retrieving sensitive information.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/devious-new-malware-steals-your-money-then-wipes-your-phone/ar-AATb9dL

[calimary]

1. Sigh ... Dear God what's next?

[2naSalit]

2. And yet another reason...

That I won't do online banking and certainly not on my phone.

[a kennedy]

3. Know.....me either, but my husband has our info on his phone so we're out there. 😡

[DemocraticPatriot]

8. I hear ya. I don't do finances on my phone

except for, um, one small cryptocurrency wallet.. but not my bank or anything else.

[fierywoman]

9. I live in the town that is Microsoft world headquarters (Redmond, WA)

My students' fathers who have worked in MS security for many, many years refuse to bank online. Now what does that tell you ?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Makes me very glad I use my phone to call or text people.

Period. No apps.

[monkeyman1]

5. told my wife never use a damn phone for banking an agreed !!

kids with phones are smarter than adults

[Generic Brad]

7. Kids with phones are dumber than adults

The fact is that people under 40 are now more likely to be victims of malware and scams than their elders. They don’t trust government or institutions or established companies so they rush headlong into the arms of scammers. Some person they met only on line or a through a video game has more credibility to them and they are easy prey for social engineering.

Yes. I understand not all people under 40 are sloppy with their on line security. But it has emerged as a major problem to the extent that the scammers have pretty much stopped going after boomers and traditionalists. People download malware from links sent to them, they willingly give other people their credentials, they use their tech knowledge to move money quickly without thinking about what they are doing.

I was on an industry call today on this specific trend.

[Tommymac]

6. Thanks for raising awareness...but no need to panic. Follow basic cell safety and all will be OK.

(The MSN article is practicing a wee bit of hysterical hyperbole if you want my opinion as an IT pro. Super great to raise awareness, not so much scaring folks unnecessarily. Remember the wolf, Peter.)

Don't open unsolicited emails, texts or chat requests.
Don't install any apps unless you have vetted them extensively.
Stay off unknown sites until you have had a chance to vet them.

Always remember your Smart Cell has more personal info than anything else you own or location you occupy. Treat it accordingly.

[Martin68]

10. I don't do banking by phone, but I'm glad I stick to Apple products.