A fake Viber double has been reported to steal financial information from infected Android devices according to malware researchers. The app is distributed via third-party services that advertise it, and most Android users are protected as long as they do not remove the security setting on Android which allows the installation of applications from suspicious sources. However, the app still managed to infect approximately 1600 users which means it may also use another method of distribution.
Users on Twitter have complained about the application demanding administrative permissions upon startup.
After such permissions are granted to this application, it was reported to display a fraudulent error message saying that the program cannot be ran and has crashed. But there is no such thing as “the program” because the only software that is installed this way may be the financial-stealing malware associated with the fake Viber app.
Similar to other mobile malware, such as SimpleLocker, the virus may also spread via malicious advertisements published via the Google ad service on apps that support all types of advertisements. As soon as the user clicks on those apps, he may be presented a fake update screen prompting him to perform several different activities such as install Viber or update it. From there, the infection may commence.
At this point, it cannot be said with certainty whether or not the fake Viber application is spread in the latest version of Android – the 7.0 Nougat.
As soon as an infection is performed by this application, it may immediately begin to scan for any financial applications or applications that have financial credentials in them. The fake Viber malware may or may not have pre-configured scripts to extract financial information from various apps that may contain it, like PayPal, the web browsers that may have remembered credentials, ePay apps, Google PlayStore credentials and financial data and many other sources.
Anyone who has seen the errors above are strongly advised to be extremely careful around applications such as the fake Viber app and always choose legitimate sources for download such as the official PlayStore page. Its also strongly recommended installing an app protection program to avoid such incidents in the future.
Remove Fake Viber Financial Stealing Malware
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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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