Android Trojan Targets Customers of 20 Major Banks

ESET experts warn of Android banking malware that can steal credentials – and even bypass two-factor authentication.

ESET researchers have discovered a strain of Android malware that can steal the login credentials of mobile banking users. The malware, detected by ESET security systems as Android/Spy.Agent.SI, presents victims with a fake version of the login screen of their banking application and locks the screen until they enter their username and password. Using the stolen credentials, the thieves can then log in to the victim’s account remotely and transfer money out.

They can even get the malware to send them all of the SMS text messages received by the infected device, and remove them. This allows SMS-based two-factor authentication of fraudulent transactions to be bypassed, without raising the suspicions of the device’s owner.

The Trojan spreads as an imitation of Flash Player application. After being downloaded and installed, the app requests Device administrator rights, to protect itself from being easily uninstalled from the device. After that, the malware checks if any target banking applications are installed on the device. If so, it receives fake login screens for each banking app from its command & control server. Then, once the victim launches a banking app, a fake login screen appears over the top of the legitimate app, leaving the screen locked until the victim submits their banking credentials.

This malware is subject to ongoing development. While its first versions were simple, and their malicious purpose easily identifiable, the most up-to-date versions feature better obfuscation and encryption. The campaign discovered by ESET researchers targets major banks in Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. In fact, the 20 financial institutions currently targeted by the app include the largest retail banks in each of the three countries: Westpac, Bendigo Bank, Commonwealth Bank, St. George Bank, National Australia Bank, Bankwest, Me Bank, ANZ Bank, ASB Bank, Bank of New Zealand, Kiwibank, Wells Fargo, and others. The attack has been massive and it can be easily re-focused to any another set of target banks.

You can read the full details about this attack, the malware used and – most importantly – how to remove this malicious application from devices on ESET Ireland’s official IT security blog, which also includes the screenshots (which you are free to use)!
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