Android malware affects phones while off – The Nation Costa Rica

San José

The security company AVG today announced the existence of a new type and misleading of malicious software (malware) that can make calls or take pictures from phones based on Android system even when “off” cell.

To achieve this, the Pirates simulating the shutdown process to the user that this goes smoothly. The person observes the corresponding display animation and then this goes dark but the power is still on.

is when the malware can manipulate the phone to send messages to others, record calls, take photographs and basically turn your phone into a spy device.

The company, which went online programming code sections where the operation of malware is illustrated, has named Android / PowerOffHijack. According to the company, affects phones with Android versions prior to the current 5.0, known as Lollipop and also requires administrator privileges to act.

AVG warns that the latest version of antivirus selling can detect but just the program prompts users to get the battery of the device if that is possible to ensure it is off when you suspicion that the accessory behaves erratically.

Cautious but without panic. However, due to the constant appearance of virus or alerts related to the Android platform, all of these ads you have to take them with a grain of salt. The real danger of infecting the phone is to install downloaded from unsafe sites of questionable reputation and questionable legality (online gaming sites, gambling sites, porn sites, sites programs to pirate files).

If you regularly download software only from secure platforms such as Google Play Store, there is nothing to worry about threats waiting around every corner. Yes, always look at how the cell behaves. Unfortunately, the trend toward growth and complexity of malware for smartphones seems to be ongoing and evolving them.

According to Fortinet, another provider of IT security solutions for this 2015 is expected before personal computers commonly exclusively for malware, becomes more mobile platforms affecting smart devices and tablets course.

Fortinet ensures that the trend of involvement on Android will continue to increase. During 2014, 90% of virus affected this system to be the most used

Some of the main effects of 2014, says Fortinet, were:.

• Heartbleed: In early 2014 this vulnerability that did not directly affect devices identified but those who use or were based on OpenSSL
• Filtration celebrity picture: In October celebrity photos related to access iCloud accounts filtered
• Shellshock: Bash affect any version to 4.3 in based systems Unix. It affected iOS and Android devices, and desktop operating systems
• Code4HK. Famous spyware affecting Android and iPhones with Jailbreak . This can take information from contacts, SMS, location and postal history.

Vadin Corrales, engineering manager for Central America and Caribbean Fortinet gave some recommendations that could reveal whether cell being infected by a virus.

• Memory and CPU of the device are near peak usage (usually this is reviewed in configuration, applications , use).
• The device starts using more and more battery becoming more frequent recharges energy.
• Get started installing applications the user does not downloaded.
• appear that the user does SMS messages sent. Therefore, the service provider charges for messages sent but without identifying who sent
• The device undergoes routine behaviors outside. The screen lights of nowhere, applications open without user intervention, randomly generated files, among others.