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Australian Android users have been warned to urgently update their devices after it was revealed 140,000 have already been infected with Agent Smith malware. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Limited

Australian Android users have been advised to urgently update their security settings and change their app download habits, as 140,000 devices have already been infected with Agent Smith malware.

Check Point Australia has confirmed the number of Aussies who have mistakenly downloaded the malware, and the result isn’t pretty.

Tech firm Telsyte says more than 10 million Australians own an Android smartphone and over 8.6 million use iPhones.

Agent Smith, which affects only Android devices, are malicious clone apps named after Hugo Weaving’s character from The Matrix.

Since it was first detected in 2016, up to 25 million Android devices, including tablets and smartphones, have been infected globally and it’s spreading at an alarming rate.

The countries most affected by Agent Smith so far. Picture: Check PointSource:Supplied

Check Point’s researchers say the malware so far has been used to display dodgy advertisements for financial gain on users’ devices, but they’ve warned it’s capable of much, much worse.

Users are completely unaware of Agent Smith taking over their smartphones and tablets.

It infects devices when the user installs an app that contains the malicious code, typically games installed from third-party sites.

From there, Agent Smith scours the device for other apps it can ‘feed on’ replacing them with a cloned, weaponised version without the user’s permission.

Some apps Agent Smith is capable of replicating include WhatsApp, web browser Opera and SwiftKey. It’s estimated infected devices contain on average 112 cloned apps.

The dodgy apps work fine and are difficult to detect as the malware is hidden from the device user.

“Armed with all the permissions users had granted to the real apps, Agent Smith was able to hijack other apps on the phone to display unwanted ads to users. That might not seem like a significant problem, but the same security flaws could be used to hijack banking, shopping and other sensitive apps,” Check Point’s Aviran Hazum said.

Agent Smith is able to clone apps like WhatsApp without the user’s permission. Picture: APSource:AFP

“Hypothetically, nothing is stopping them from targeting bank apps, changing the functionality to send your bank credentials to a third party. The user wouldn’t be able to see any difference, but the attacker could connect to your bank account remotely.”

Agent Smith was detected earlier this year after a wave of malware attacks hit India. It prompted one of India’s largest banks, Union Bank Of India, to issue a warning to customers.

Follow the mentioned steps to safeguard your android device from Agent Smith malware. #UnionBankofIndia#100YearsServingTheNationpic.twitter.com/r3mDOHr9fz

So far Agent Smith has hit mostly Asian countries including Parkistan and Bangladesh as it’s been easier to spread through third-party stores there. However Check Point says hundreds of thousands of devices have been infected in Australia, the US and UK.

Cyberfirm Unisys Director of Security, Ashwin Pal told News Corp “Every app on a person’s device is at risk.”

“And this is where the problem lies. There is nothing stopping the malware developers from using this to start to capture confidential data such as internet banking passwords, etc,” he said.

While third-party app stores presented the biggest risk, 11 apps on Google Play were found to have been spreading Agent Smith. Those apps, including Blockman Go, Cooking Witch, Ludo Master, and Crazy Juicer have since been removed but not before they were downloaded over ten million times globally.

Mr Pal said users should not download apps from third-party stores.

The clone malware is named after Hugo Weaving’s character Agent Smith in The Matrix. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied

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Some of the apps that appeared on Google Play store that were reported in relation to Agent Smith. Picture: Check PointSource:Supplied

“Always use legitimate app stores such as iTunes or Google Play Store. Do not download unnecessary apps particularly ones that have been sent to you via links or advertisements (and) always update your device and apps whenever updates are available,” he said.

“Do not click on any adverts that are served up to avoid malware infections.”

Dustin Childs from cybersecurity company Trend Micro said it was crucial Android users regularly update their devices to the latest version, as well as use a trustworthy ad-blocker.

“We’ve seen malicious ads that can install apps when you browse to a web page from your Android device. They could be installing ransomware, they could be copying your contacts. Ad blockers aren’t just to block ads,” he said.

Mr Hazum added users shouldn’t ignore prompts to update their devices.

“People see they have an update and know it will take their phone 30 minutes to download it, apply it, and restart the device. A lot of people ignore it,” he said.

More recent versions of Android have patched the vulnerability Agent Smith but not all manufacturers prompt users to regularly update.

The devices more affected by Agent Smith. Picture: Check PointSource:Supplied

Currently more than 24,000 devices run Android including Samsung, Xiaomi and Lenovo.

While Agent Smith doesn’t affect Apple users, they aren’t immune to malware either.

Users who continue to use outdated devices are at the most risk.

The Agent Smith warning comes a week after it was revealed a million Microsoft Windows users were vulnerable to a highly spreadable ransomware attack dubbed BlueKeep.

Microsoft said any operating system earlier than Windows 8 is at risk with internet security company AVG warning users to check if their operating system is ‘dangerously out of date’.

Is Agent Smith on your phone? Find out what to do below. Picture: SuppliedSource:News Limited

IS AGENT SMITH ON YOUR PHONE?

Check Point says these are some of the apps that have been compromised by Agent Smith:

Ludo Master — New Ludo Game 2019 For Free

Sky Warriors: General Attack

Colour Phone Flash — Call Screen Theme

Bio Blast — Infinity Battle Shoot virus

Shooting Jet

Photo Projector

Gun Hero — Gunman Game for Free

Cooking Witch

Blockman Go: Free Realms & Mini Games

Crazy Juicer — Hot Knife Hit Game & Juice Blast

Clash of Virus

Angry Virus

Rabbit Temple

Star Range

Kiss Game: Touch Her Heart

Girl Cloth Xray Scan Simulator

If you think you may have downloaded an app containing Agent Smith here’s what to do:

For Android:

Go to Settings Menu

Click on Apps or Application Manager

Scroll to the suspected app and uninstall it.

If it can’t be found then remove all recently installed apps.

Jan 14, 2021

It’s more important than ever to make sure your mobile devices are secure and your personal information stays private. Norton 360 for Mobile helps deliver powerful, proactive protection for your device and personal information against stealthy cyberthreats and online scams.

Does my Android phone have a virus? Is it infected with malware or a malicious app? Will my personal information be held for ransom? If you find yourself asking these questions, then here is some useful information about Android devices and antivirus apps that may help you.

Viruses and other types of malware

Malware is malicious software that can sneak onto your phone. Written with the intent to cause harm, malware can include viruses, computer worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware.

Cybercriminals can use malware to access your personal data and, in some cases, subsequently use that sensitive information to commit identity theft or fraud.

Viruses are a particular type of malware that infiltrate a computer or other device and their programs. A cybercriminal may be able to install a virus on your device without your knowledge or consent. The virus may then be able to insert new, malicious code on your device that can monitor and manipulate your online activity.

What can viruses and other malware do to Android phones?

Malware is designed to generate revenue for cybercriminals.

Malware can steal your information, make your device send SMS messages to premium rate text services, or install adware that forces you to view web pages or download apps.

Info stealers can steal your contact list, your personal information, your location, your passwords, and more.

With the aid of malware, cybercriminals can access your devices and steal your information for their own use or to sell on the dark web.

Hackers also use ransomware to lock devices and encrypt personal data. Then they can demand a ransom payment from the victim in order to regain access to their files.

Signs your Android phone may have a virus or other malware

Phones can be vulnerable to damage externally and internally. While the external damage is usually visible, internal damage is usually hidden from view.

Malware like viruses are known to perform repeated tasks that can take up resources on your devices. Signs of malware may show up in these ways.

1. Your phone is too slow.
2. Apps take longer to load.
3. The battery drains faster than expected.
4. There is an abundance of pop-up ads.
5. Your phone has apps you don’t remember downloading.
6. Unexplained data usage occurs.
7. Higher phone bills arrive.

How to check for viruses and other malware on your Android phone

A good way to check for malware on your Android phone is to run an antivirus scan.

Before buying antivirus software for your phone, make sure you consider the most comprehensive product that’s available for your device.

There are many antivirus software choices available on the market. Some are free, and some are sold.

It’s a good idea to do your research to ensure the security software you invest in runs a complete scan and doesn’t overlook any vulnerabilities. An incomplete scan could give you a false sense of security when, in fact, your device could be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Norton Mobile Security for Android is one product you might consider.

How to remove viruses and other malware from your Android device

If you think you have malware on your phone, it’s important to stop the malware from causing any further damage. Here are a few steps you can take.

1. Power off the phone and reboot in safe mode. Press the power button to access the Power Off options. Most Android phones come with the option to restart in Safe Mode. Here’s how, according to Google, although Safe Mode can vary by phone: Press your phone's power button. When the animation starts, press and hold your phone's volume down button. Hold it until the animation ends and your phone restarts. You'll see “Safe mode” at the bottom of your screen.
2. Uninstall the suspicious app. Find the app in Settings and uninstall or force close it. This may not completely remove the malware, but it could prevent further damage to your device, or from it transmitting the malware to other devices on your network.
3. Look for other apps you think may be infected. There’s a chance that some apps may have been infected by the malware. If you think you can identify those apps, delete them immediately.
4. Install a robust mobile security app on your phone.

Tips to help protect your Android device against viruses and other malware

Here are seven key steps you can take to help protect against future risks.

1. Invest in and use robust security software to protect your Android device.
2. Keep all operating systems and software updated with the latest versions.
3. Don’t click on suspicious or unfamiliar links in emails and text messages.
4. Use strong, complicated passwords or a password manager.
5. Never use unsecure Wi-Fi connections. Always use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
6. Always use strong cyber safety protection on all devices that connect to the internet.
7. Always install apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store. Read the fine print and permissions on the apps to understand how much access you are giving the app developers.

It’s a good idea to not wait until your device gets infected. Make protecting your Android device a priority. Having good antivirus software that helps protect your PCs, tablets, and other Android devices could help prevent malware from spreading from device to device.

It’s more important than ever to make sure your mobile devices are secure and your personal information stays private. Norton 360 for Mobile helps deliver powerful, proactive protection for your device and personal information against stealthy cyberthreats and online scams.

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