People using smartphones based on the Android platform beware! The bad guys are at it again and this time they have created a Trojan specifically to target Android-based phones.
People using smart phones based on the Android platform beware! The bad guys are at it again and this time they have created a Trojan specifically to target Android-based phones.
The Trojan named DrdDream was detected recently by e-security firm Mc Afee labs. The Trojan has been spreading wildfire through the internet. It comes bundled with free Android applications and games available online.
Vinoo Thomas, technical product manager, Mc Afee labs, India, said, “DrdDream has the capacity to control the phone, switch on and off applications, send, read SMSes and MMSes and pass all the information to the attacker. It does not function on its own; it executes operations only when the cyber criminals send commands.”
Games such as the Spider Man (powerstudio.spiderman_-6499338001522216229.apk), applications such as the PhotoEditor (com.editor.photoenhance_-1966917809620329482.apk), Advanced Sound Manager (com.advanced.SoundManager_815153467892321884.apk), Quick Delete Contacts (com.quick.Delete_7697367408699356531.apk), Advanced Currency Converter (power.power.rate_3271521100444261301.apk) are some of the Android applications, along with which the Trojan is bundled, offered free on websites.
Once the application or the game is downloaded and stored in the phone, the Trojan hides itself in the phone. It then sends the phone’s IMEI details to the cyber criminals who then know that the phone has been compromised and can receive commands to function as they want it to.
“Initially, it does not show any monetary loss to the affected user, but if the Trojan’s creators set up an SMS or MMS server, SMSes sent will be charged at premium rates. Once the cyber criminals have a database of a large number of phones affected through DrdDream, they can use it for several exploits without the users’ knowledge,” Thomas added.
But DrdDream affects Android phones only with the 2.2 version operating system or older versions. It also has the capacity to download remote files on accepting commands from the attackers and switch on applications like Wi-Fi.
It is difficult to find out if a phone is affected by the Trojan. The functioning would slow down and many applications would be turned on and off without the user’s knowledge.
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