Security News > 2020 > October > Microsoft Warns of Android Ransomware Abusing Notification Services
Microsoft warned users on Thursday that it has spotted a sophisticated piece of Android ransomware that abuses notification services to display a ransom note.
Roid ransomware typically allows cybercriminals to make a profit not by encrypting files - such as in the case of ransomware targeting desktop systems - but by displaying a full-screen ransom note that is difficult for the user to remove.
Microsoft says this particular Android ransomware family has been around for a while and its developers have continued to make improvements.
Previous variants of the malware abused Android accessibility features or system alert windows to display the ransom note.
In an effort to increase its chances of success, the latest version of the Android ransomware, which Microsoft tracks as AndroidOS/MalLocker.