Security News > 2020 > January > Lifeline Assistance Phone Users Targeted with ‘Uninstallable’ Adware

Government-funded, low-cost cell phones are shipping with pre-installed malware aimed at bombing users with unwanted ads, according to researchers.

The UMX U686CL Android-based phone, which is made available to low-income citizens in the U.S. via the Lifeline Assistance Program for $35, uses a "Settings" app that researcher claim is actually a "Trojan dropper." According to Nathan Collier, a researcher at Malwarebytes, its function is to fetch and install other applications or malware.

The phone is a Virgin Mobile-branded phone distributed by Assurance Wireless.

Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline cell phone service provider, offering eligible customers phones, minutes and data.

In an investigation of malware infections on BLU brand phones, Threatpost found that many phones came pre-installed with malware and also downloaded more malware via a third-party update tool.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/lifeline-assistance-phone-uninstallable-adware/151725/