Google has confirmed yet another Chrome zero-day security exploit. This is the fourth such exploit this year. Hackers are using it to target Android and Windows users. Google is warning users to update their Chrome browsers as soon as possible. The company says that it is aware of the attacks and is working on a fix. In the meantime, users should exercise caution when using Chrome on their devices.
Google recommends that users only visit trusted websites and that they avoid clicking on links or downloading files from untrustworthy sources. The company also advises users to keep their Chrome browser up to date in order to stay protected against these types of attacks.
1Hundreds of millions of Android users across the world have been warned about a frightening new threat that strikes when you least expect it. Hackers have devised a method of defrauding customers who believe their phone is turned off.
In reality, cybercriminals have inserted a phony black screen to mask their true intentions. They also turn off the lights and turn off notifications from afar so that the victims don’t get suspicious.
This means they can go ahead and do anything they want on your phone without you knowing.
As if they were holding the phone in their hands, the spyware allows them to tap, write, copy, and edit what they see. Even more concerning, it has the ability to observe your own behavior, which is very beneficial for obtaining critical PINs and passwords.
Octo is a type of on-device fraud and banking malware.
It has already been spotted in the wild, according to specialists.
Threat Fabric discovered it on the dark web, which is home to some of the internet’s most dangerous criminals. The majority of them entice individuals to download malware by posting bogus web browser or Google Play Store app update warnings on the internet.
Octo was also discovered in an app named Fast Cleaner, which had 50,000 downloads. Apps that don’t keep up with the trends might become problematic and include security weaknesses that hackers love to exploit.
In February, it was withdrawn from the Play Store.
Octo is a form of a malicious trojan known as ExobotCompact, which was active in 2018. “ExobotCompact/Octo has serious capabilities,” Threat Fabric claimed, citing imaginative distribution techniques such as droppers on the official Google Play store and malicious landing sites.
“As a result, clients are extremely likely to download malware onto their devices, giving the actors direct access to their gadgets and, as a result, to their bank accounts.””
Once the malware is installed, it requests permissions to overlay other apps, which allows it to show a fake login page that looks identical to the real thing. When users enter their credentials, they are immediately stolen.
“After an initial delay of up to two weeks, we have observed Octo becoming active and starting to overlay legitimate apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Skype, and others,” Threat Fabric said.
“The main goal of the malware is to intercept SMS messages containing one-time passwords (OTPs) and bypass 2FA protections.”
Octo is not the only form of mobile banking malware out there. Others include Red Alert 2.0, BankBot, and Marcher. However, Octo is unique in that it uses an on-device botnet instead of a remote server. This makes it much more difficult to detect and remove.
If you are worried that you may have been infected with Octo or any other form of malware, the best thing to do is run a security scan on your device. There are many free ones available online. You should also make sure that all your apps are up to date and that you have all the updated applications installed.
What is a Malware?
Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers and computer networks. Malware can take the form of a virus, spyware, or ransomware. It can be spread through email attachments, social media links, or infected websites. Malware can also be installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge or consent.
What is a Virus?
A virus is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers. Viruses can damage files and cause system crashes. They can also be used to collect personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a type of malware that is designed to collect information about a person or organization without their knowledge or consent. Spyware can track a person’s online activity, steal personal information, and display unwanted advertisements.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that is designed to encrypt a person’s personal files and demand a ransom in order to decrypt them. Ransomware can be spread through email attachments, social media links, or infected websites. It can also be installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge or consent.
How to Protect Yourself from Malware?
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from malware:
- Install and update anti-virus software: Anti-virus software will help to protect your computer from viruses and other malware. Make sure that you install and update anti-virus software on all of your devices.
- Don’t click on unknown links or attachments: Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown or untrustworthy sources. If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, don’t open it. If you receive an attachment from someone you don’t know, don’t open it.
- Be careful what you download: Be careful what you download from the internet. Only download files and programs from trusted sources.
- Keep your software up to date: Make sure that all the software on your computer is up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your computer from malware.
- Don’t give out personal information: Don’t give out personal information such as your social security number, credit card number, or bank account number to anyone online.
- Use a secure web browser: Use a secure web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. These browsers are designed to protect your personal information and keep you safe online.
- Back up your files: Back up your files regularly in case you need to restore them after a malware attack.
- Keep all Applications Updated: One of the best ways to protect your device is to ensure all applications are up to date. Many vendors will release security patches through these updates.
- Educate Yourself about Mobile Malware: The more you know about mobile malware, the better you can protect yourself. Stay informed about the latest threats and how to avoid them.
What to do if Your Device has been Infected by Malware?
If you think your device may be infected with malware, there are several things you can do:
- Run a security scan: Use a security scan to check for viruses and other malware. There are many free ones available online.
- Update your apps: Make sure all your apps are up to date. Updates often include security patches that can help to protect your device from malware.
- Restore your device: If you think your device is infected with malware, you can try restoring it to its factory settings. This will remove all the data from your device, including any malware.
- Contact customer support: If you still suspect your device is infected, contact customer support for your anti-virus software or your device manufacturer. They may be able to help you remove the malware.
How to be Safe?
There are a few things you can do to help keep your device safe from malware:
Install a security app: There are many security apps available that can help to protect your device from malware.
Keep your apps up to date: Updates often include security patches that can help to protect your device from malware.
Be careful what you download: only download apps from trusted sources, and be careful what you click on online. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
Back up your data: regular backups can help to protect your data if your device is infected with malware.
