An Android banking malware dubbed Tordow by Kaspersky researchers has been detected to obtain all types of banking credentials as well as steal login details and root devices. The creators of this malware have designed it to function primarily as banking malware giving many profitable opportunities for the cyber-criminals who are going to be using it. Users are strongly advised to read this article and learn how to protect themselves from this Android OS banking malware.
Threat Summary
| Name | Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow |
| Type | Trojan Horse |
| Short Description | Android Banking Malware/Infostealer |
| Symptoms | Gives permissions to the cyber-criminals to perform malicious activities on your Android device. Full control by rooting capability. |
| Distribution Method | Copycat apps of famous ones, distributed via malicious web links. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join our forum to Discuss Tordow. |
How Does Tordow Replicate
The crooks who redistribute this trojan have very cleverly though out the process of replicating this malware infection. One of the techniques the crooks use is to download an official application, such as Pokemon Go, Vkontakte or Telegram and strip it’s code down to add a malicious script in it. Then, they re-upload the modified malicious application and upload it on shady third-party websites.
Since such websites do not have their method of self-replicating, the crooks may also link these websites and advertise the malicious links that may cause the download of such apps. This can happen in many ways, one of which is Facebook spam that advertises the app, just like My Secret Video Facebook malware does.
After the apps are installed on the device, the malware then may connect to multiple third-party web links and download the full payload of the Tordow trojan.
Tordow Trojan – What Does It Do
The malware is particularly clever in it’s actions. One action it performs is that it coordinates with the fake application which acts as a downloader. After the application downloads the malicious files, which are encrypted for obfuscation, it decrypts them on the device and executes them.
After this has been done, the malicious application may also download updates to the application adding new features to it’s currently existing ones. And the currently existing features are so many that they give the ones who have infected you a remote control like permissions:
- Full control of the SMS service.
- Full control of the phone’s calls.
- Balance checks of the phone.
- Obtaining the phone’s contacts.
- Changing the malicious server from which files are downloaded.
- Creating a lock screen on the device and showing a web page.
- Making lists that collect password and username information for different services.
- Switching down and turning off a device.
Besides those many features, this malware also has the capability of rooting the phone, meaning that the cyber-criminals may have access to more features as well, just as a root user. This, besides giving them full control to the phone’s apps, software, and hardware, it also allows them to steal all the information they wish to and input it in their automatically generated login databases.
Summary and Protection Tutorial for Tordow Banking Trojan
The Tordow banking trojan is a very dangerous threat, and the crooks who developed it are particularly clever. One reason is that they have managed to successfully focus on Android devices since mobile payment usage is becoming more frequent than ever. All users who use mobile payment methods and have installed applications from suspicious locations should secure their phone by hard resetting it, which can be easily done if you follow the instructions given below.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Preparation before removing Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow FAQ
What Does Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow Trojan Do?
The Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind, that there are more sophisticated Trojans, that leave backdoors and reinfect even after factory reset.
Can Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Tordow threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.