Security News > 2021 > November > Android has its head in the sand with AbstractEmu malware rooting phones
A new and dangerous form of malware for rooting Android phones has been spotted in 19 apps on Google's Play store, as well as in several in the Amazon Appstore, the Samsung Galaxy Store, and other third-party sites.
Dubbed AbstractEmu by bug-hunters at Lookout, who first spotted the code, the malware would give full access to all functions on an Android device and would be almost impossible to remove without doing a full system wipe.
Hive ransomware targets Linux and FreeBSD. The criminals behind the Hive ransomware strain have apparently widened their ambitions and are now targeting open-source systems.
Security shop ESET reported that the ransomware is now available in Linux and FreeBSD flavours, which represents a widening of targets, as the gang previously just went for Windows operating systems.
Luckily the new variant appears to be in a development phase and isn't particularly well written, often failing to encrypt targeted systems.
It supports only one command line parameter, compared to five for Windows systems, and requires full root access to work.
News URL
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/11/01/in_brief_security/
Related news
- TrickMo malware steals Android PINs using fake lock screen (source)
- Russia targets Ukrainian conscripts with Windows, Android malware (source)
- Android malware "FakeCall" now reroutes bank calls to attackers (source)
- New FakeCall Malware Variant Hijacks Android Devices for Fraudulent Banking Calls (source)
- New Android Banking Malware 'ToxicPanda' Targets Users with Fraudulent Money Transfers (source)
- Cyber crooks push Android malware via letter (source)