Users are advised to avoid third party-app stores, as the lack of security regulations could expose them to malware. This is not the first time that malware is being spread via third party app stores, as seen in last year’s Fobus attack involving Super Mario Run. No versions of the malicious apps carrying the malware have been detected on the official Google Play Store as of the time of publication. Red Alert 2.0 can target mobile devices that are running Android versions of up to 6.0, which was released two years ago, but it is currently confined to third party app stores. By disrupting the device’s actual communication capabilities, the attackers can maximize the time spent doing malicious activities.Īccording to its researchers, Red Alert 2.0 is being peddled on hacking forums for $500-a low price that could make it attractive to a large number of potential attackers.

The malware also intercepts SMS text messages, sending messages to the attackers for future use. Red Alert 2.0 will block incoming calls from banks, presumably to block verification attempts. The credentials are then sent to a Command and Control (C&C server) that the attackers control. Once a user downloads one of these malicious apps into their devices and opens it, a popup overlay will appear prompting the user to enter their login credentials. Dubbed Red Alert 2.0 (Detected by Trend Micro as ANDROIDOS_BANKER) by its creators, this new malware tricks users into downloading it by hiding in third-party app stores as fake versions of legitimate applications such as WhatsApp, Viber, and updates for both Android and Flash Player.

A spate of new attacks targeting the Android operating system have been discovered using a banking trojan named after a video game.

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