Dendroid: New Android Malicious Toolkit Affecting Android Phones in India

Today, Indian cyber security sleuths have alerted users of Android devices about the malicious activities of a virus called 'Dendroid' an application through which an attacker can completely compromise the affected smartphone and control it remotely.

The CERT-In is the nodal agency to combat hacking, phishing and to fortify security-related defences of the Indian Internet domain.

The virus "DENDROID" is from the Trojan family that infects Android-based smartphones. The malware is created by modifying the required permissions by any clean APK (Android Application Package) with Dendroid RAT functionality that allows detailed management of the infected devices," the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) said in its latest advisory to Android phone users in the country, 

Once it is activated, it can perform a number of malicious activities. "It can change the command and control server, delete call logs, open web pages, dial any number, record calls and audio, SMS interception, upload images and video to remote location and open an application," the advisory said, categorising the virus as an "attack toolkit".

The agency said upon installation of this malicious application, a remote attacker could "completely compromise the affected Android-based smartphone and could control it remotely".

It said the malware infected "is controlled by the attacker through Dendroid Toolkit. Dendroid is a HTTP RAT, having a sophisticated PHP administration panel and an application APK binder package." 

The agency has suggested some preventions for the latest virus: 

"Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources, install applications downloaded from reputed application market only, run a full system scan on device with mobile security solution or mobile antivirus solution, check for the permissions required by an application before installing.

CERT-In said, Android users are also advised to keep an eye on data usage and any unusual increase in mobile bills and keep an eye on device battery usage also.

Source: TheHindu