FBI Warns of Widespread Android Malware Infection

By Netvora Tech News

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning about a widespread infection of Android devices with the Badbox malware. According to the FBI, millions of Android devices worldwide have been infected with the malware and are being used for various criminal activities.

The malware is typically pre-installed on devices before users even turn them on, or it can infect devices during the initial setup process when the system automatically downloads the contaminated software. Badbox is capable of installing additional malware on the device and stealing sensitive information and data, including "two-factor keys," as the German government has previously reported.

How the Malware Spreads

The FBI says that infected Android devices are being used for advertising fraud and residential proxies. Criminals use these devices to carry out attacks, which allows them to disguise the source of the attack as coming from a local or seemingly harmless IP address from a home user. This makes it difficult to trace the attack back to the criminal.

The FBI is advising the public to check their Android IoT devices for signs of infection and to remove any suspicious devices from their network. Suspicious signs include unexpected or unusual internet activity and the requirement to disable Google Play Protect.

The FBI says that the infected devices include streaming devices, digital projectors, infotainment systems, digital picture frames, and other products, most of which were manufactured in China.

The FBI recommends monitoring your network traffic at home to detect any suspicious activity. If you suspect that your device is infected, you should remove it from your network immediately and take steps to disinfect your device.

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