Our computers are no longer the only tech device that can be hacked or infected. Our cell phones are just as much as risk too! Recently a reader on reddit brought attention to a recent Trojan on Android devices, it is called NotCompatible. Reddit is a news site and message board.
How does it do it?
Android Smartphone users that download apps from hacked websites that attempt to trick you into installing malicious code. Lookout Mobile Security for the first time ever is warning of these attacks which are specifically targeting Android devices. A Trojan Horse is downloaded on to your phone, once installed the Android malware allows hackers to use the phone as an intermediary access point, to break into private computer networks.
Who is it happening to?
NotCompatible only impacts those people that have enabled side loading the ability to download apps from unofficial sources. Side loading is enabled on your phone by going to Settings>Applications and then tapping the “Unknown Sources” check box. But just keeping mind that even if you have side loading enabled, getting infected still requires explicit user action.
The process on how it works
Android user that comes to an infected site using the phone’s browser (surfing the internet on your phone) the phone will automatically download a file called “Update.apk.”
Once downloaded what happens?
As of now there is not a clear ideas as to what the long-term effect is on your phone or device’s content but according to security sites simply your phone becomes open to third party access.
Has the Trojan spread?
Security sites are not offering any specific numbers but the malware has been found on “numerous” websites embedded in an iframe (it is part of the browser window that can display content from third party).
Once infected, what do you do?
It is uncertain if downloading an antivirus could potentially help once infected. There are no clear set guidelines as of yet to follow to rid your cell phone of the Trojan. Pay attention to what you are downloading and what it is you are viewing.
