SpyNote: How this trojan can wreak havoc on your Android devices

In an increasingly connected world, it has also become easier by the day to target one’s devices for malicious purposes, including identity theft, financial fraud, and more. In the latest such instance, experts at F-Secure, a cybersecurity firm, has discovered an Android trojan app called SpyNote.

Trojans, for the uninitiated, are malware that can disguise themselves as legitimate programs on a device, that can mislead users and never let them know about their true intent.

What is SpyNote?

SpyNote is said to spread through SMS phishing campaigns, and tricks victims into installing it on their devices, via a link. The trojan then asks for permission to access the user’s call logs, camera, SMS texts, as well as extensive storage devices, if any.

Moreover, SpyNote stays hidden on one’s home screen and recent apps, making it all the more difficult for security systems to spot and control it. The trojan, in addition to infiltrating one’s device and stealing their personal information, can even record sounds, and therefore keep a record of your phone calls.

Researchers at F-Secure say SpyNote can also be controlled remotely and go about its job on a user’s device via an external signal. Using accessibility permissions from the user, it gives itself permissions such as recording audio, taking screenshots, and logging keystrokes on the device.

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Moreover, the malware also has something called ‘diehard services’. What this does, is make it difficult for users to combat the malware through their device’s settings, even in the rare event that they discover it in the first place. How they do it, is that the malware keeps turning back “on” if someone tries to shut it down. Moreover, if one attempts to remove it, it also stops them from doing so, by denying them access to their phone’s accessibility settings.

About the only solution to combat the malware, according to F-Secure, is to factory reset one’s device. However, this also will lead to a user losing all their data in the process.

4 ways to protect your devices against malware

Fret not, though. There are a few simple ways to prevent malware such as SpyNote from entering your devices, whether your smartphone or laptop.

1. Look out for suspicious websites and texts

2. Never install pirated content

3. Never use easy-to guess usernames and passwords

4.  Keep your devices updated

1. Look out for suspicious websites and texts

Look out for poorly designed websites, messages with typos, or even messages from unknown numbers with international country codes. These are the most common telltale signs of perpetrators trying to infiltrate your devices using malware.

2. Never install pirated content

Avoid installing any sort of pirated content on your device, as they may be disguised to carry malware with them.

3. Never use easy-to guess usernames and passwords

Avoid using easy-to-guess username and password combos. Make sure they don’t include your name, date of birth, or any such demographic information that may be available in the public domain.

4. Keep your devices updated

Always ensure that your device’s software is up to date, whether a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or any gadget. Regular software and security updates can help in protecting your devices against malware and ensure you don’t face any loss of data.