New Delhi :
Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-IN) is functioning at national level to prevent cybercrime in the country. The organization released the startling information yesterday.
A statement released by Cert-In states:-
In the shadow world market, the virus ‘Soa’ was first sold in September last year. It can steal username and password.
At first, the virus targeted countries like the United States, Russia, and Spain. Last July, it added several countries, including India, to its target list.
The creators of that virus have now created its 5th generation. This virus hides itself inside fake Android apps that show logos of legitimate apps like Chrome, Amazon etc. It is tricking customers into downloading those apps.
Once customers download fake Android apps, the virus will tell the server the details of the apps already downloaded on the phone.
Thereby, the apps to be targeted will be selected. The server will tell the addresses of those applications to the ‘Soa’ virus. They are ‘XML’. will be stored in the file. Communication takes place between the virus and the server about the targeted applications.
‘Sova’ virus targets more than 200 apps like mobile banking apps, payment apps, cryptocurrency apps. By creating a layer above those apps, Android phone users can be fooled.
When the customer uses the mobile banking application, all the details including username and password are stolen. This leads to the theft of money from the bank account. The ‘Soa’ virus has hit the Indian cyberspace, targeting Indian bank customers.
This virus can infiltrate the Android phone and disable it. It is also difficult to remove the virus by going to the ‘Settings’ section. Even if you delete it, it will come back with the message ‘This app is safe’.
Therefore, customers should avoid downloading dangerous apps. Apps should be downloaded through the official ‘App Store’. Read the details of the app. It should be ‘updated’ from time to time. Don’t grant unnecessary permissions that apps ask for.
Do not use unreliable websites. Do not open suspicious ‘links’ sent through e-mails and text messages.
This is stated in the report.