Researchers have developed a new malware that
Affect smartphones and replace portion of apps with its own code. The Malware have affected over 25 million devices among which 15 million are from India.
The virus, which serves ads on the infected phones, spreads through third-party app stores like 9Apps and once it is on a phone, it hides itself by changing its name to a regular-looking app like Google Updater.
Named "Agent Smith" this was discovered by the researchers at Security firm checkpoint.
The Malware doesn't steal data from you, instead it forces the haced apps to display more ads or takes credit for the ads that the apps already display so that the malware's operator can profit off the fraudulent views.
According to Check Point, the malware looks for known apps on a smartphone like and then replaces portions of their code and prevents them from being updated.
Does your Android phone have Agent Smith or is your WhatsApp infected
Check Point says that it has informed Google about what it found on Agency Smith and that Google has cleaned the Play store to remove the apps that were infected with it. But it is possible that your Android phone may have it. If you are getting too many ads on your phone, particularly sleezy or dubious ads, scan your phone with a good anti-virus app. At the same time, always follow good security practices. These are:
Does your Android phone have Agent Smith or is your WhatsApp infected
Check Point says that it has informed Google about what it found on Agency Smith and that Google has cleaned the Play store to remove the apps that were infected with it. But it is possible that your Android phone may have it. If you are getting too many ads on your phone, particularly sleezy or dubious ads, scan your phone with a good anti-virus app. At the same time, always follow good security practices. These are:
-- Don't download apps from third-party app stores like 9Apps. it's not worth it, even if you are getting a APK of a paid app for free. If it's free, do understand someone somewhere is benefitting from it. Always download apps from the official Google Play store.
-- If you suspect your phone is infected with Agent Smith, delete data of popular apps like WhatsApp and Flipkart by going into settings and reinstall these apps. Or rather do a factory reset.
-- While installing an app, carefully look at the permission it is asking for. Ideally, a gaming app should not ask for camera permission
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