Android Malware Known as DressCode Found in More than 40 Google Play Store Apps

Google has been working on to eradicate malicious applications, which is enlisting the Android devices that are infected into the botnet from Google Play Store. Alexander Lysunets and Alon Menczer from Research Team of Check Point observed that the DressCode malware is existed in 40 applications, which are available in certified Google Play Store for downloading. This does not include extra 400 applications, which are found on websites of third-party.

Check Point claimed that oldest applications having DressCode malware available in Google Play Store was of April 2016, which means it is quite a recent malware. Few of these applications experienced download between 100,000 to 500,000 each, and thus this means 500,000 to 2,000,000 users may have downloaded the infected apps from the Google Play.

Technically, the malware of DressCode contains malicious code which hijacks the infected devices and then connects those to the botnet.

The malware acts like an inspiration which continuously converses with command and control (C&C) server of the botnet. Whenever author of the botnet decides about the malicious actions to be executed, they only ping desired devices and then send them malicious code to be executed. Researchers of Check Point claim that botnet produced via these devices might be used for generating ad clicks along with false traffic, thus generating ad revenue for the hackers.

Those responsible for DressCode are left with few options because of that capability. First, they can use all infected devices as botnet on the basis of proxied addresses of IP, probably to camouflage ad clicks and produce false traffic.

Grahamcluley.com posted on September 1st, 2016, stating that secondly, by routing traffic through the devices, developers of DressCode can access the available networks as well as carry out secondary attacks, such as stealing data from victims and the organisations with which they are engaged.

Keeping that thing in mind, users of Android have every reason of protecting themselves from mobile malware, such as DressCode. They are able to do that by evading all "DressCode" - themed apps available on the Google Play Store.

According to thumb rule, they must be extremely cautious while installing apps from any other source except the authorized Google Play Store.

» SPAMfighter News - 9/8/2016