Researchers at ZScaler have discovered a new variation of the “Porn Droid” ransomware that affects Android devices.
Once the device is infected, the malware sends the user a message, apparently from the FBI, accusing the user of watching child pornography. It then demands a $500 ransom to restore the device to normal.
Infection:
After masquerading as a Google patch update, the malware then asks for a number of powerful permissions including “Erase all data” and “set storage encryption”.
Clearly, the message is not from the FBI and the victim should not pay the ransom.
How to stay safe:
Always check permissions
Apps are the lifeblood of our Android devices and make them the powerful and useful tools we know and love. Apps help us stay in touch with family and friends, guide us, educate us and sometimes simply entertain us. But how much attention do we pay when we install an app? In the case of this ransomware, an alert user would never have granted those permissions to an app.
For a list of permissions to look out for when installing an app, check out this AVG Academy video from Michael McKinnon.
Have up-to-date security software
One of the simplest and most effective ways of keeping your device safe from malware such as “Porn Droid” is to have up-to-date antivirus protection.
By scanning links and attachments before they are loaded onto your device, security apps like AVG’s AntiVirus for Android can help keep your device free from randomware and running in top condition.
