New Android Malware Blocks Calls to Customer Care of Banks to Stop Reporting Fraud

Technology Company of America, Symantec, found the malware app Android.Fakebank.B in Oct. 2013. This app replaces the banking apps on the device of a user with fake versions, thus helping a hacker in tracking and accessing the bank details of a victim and then in conducting the fraudulent transactions.

Techtimes.com posted on July 19th, 2016, stating that latest malware version of Android.Fakebank.B was released in the month of March, and it has the ability to block calls to the banks.

As per Symantec, once a victim attempts calling these banks from their registered mobile number, then this malware redirects call to the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) System and then cancelled the call. This malware is highly dangerous because it will be difficult for customers to report for unauthorized transaction, or cancelling the unsanctioned payments.

The customer could call the bank from other device, but due to this hackers can still gain additional time for stealing the data from the compromised device.

The telephone numbers of banks and their respective customer care departments which may be affected from the malware are: KEB Hana Bank: 15991111, KB Bank: 15999999, Sberbank: 80055550, NH Bank: 15442100 and 15882100, Shinhan Bank: 15448000 and 15778000, SC Bank: 15881599 and 15889999.

Symantec suggests that users of Android phone should always update their software to protect mobile devices from the Android.Fakebank.B. Technology Company also recommends that users of tablet or mobile phone must not download application from unknown websites, and should always install apps from the trustworthy sources.

Google has started rolling out monthly security updates to Nexus devices and the same is being followed by many other device makers such as Samsung. A previous Tech Times report also highlighted that Samsung and Nexus devices are the safest Android smartphones to use.

Several users of mobile phone have started doing financial transactions from handsets, meaning that more and more hackers will attempt to target the smartphones for stealing data. Security experts suggested that it is a good habit to download the security patch once it is received, although a security update does not add new feature to it.

» SPAMfighter News - 7/21/2016