How to remove Eventbot
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Eventbot?
Eventbot is a banking Trojan which targets Android users. It attempts to steal sensitive information (such as credit card details, credentials) using overlay technique. It also abuses the Accessibility Service. Eventbot can be the reason behind serious privacy issues, monetary loss and other problems.
Eventbot is capable of performing overlay attacks (placing windows over other applications). Typically, displayed content (such as data input forms) is very similar or even identical to the real (underlying) website.
Unsuspecting users who enter sensitive information (e.g., login credentials, credit car details) into forms or other content displayed by Eventbot inadvertently provide the details to cyber criminals. Research shows that this Trojan targets banking-related applications and cryptocurrency wallets.
Furthermore, Eventbot is capable of accessing users' SMS messages. If any messages contain passwords or other confidential details, they might also be stolen.
Cyber criminals behind this Trojan can abuse Accessibility Service, which might allow them to access contacts (names and numbers), lists of installed apps, display push notifications, launch applications and delete them, send text messages, open web addresses and perform other tasks.
In this way, cyber criminals can cause monetary loss, identity theft, problems relating to online privacy, and other serious issues.
| Name | Eventbot malware |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Android:EventBot-B [Bank]), DrWeb (Android.Hidden.8395), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/TrojanDropper.Agent.EQN), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Knobot.b), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device runs slowly, system settings are modified without users' permission, dubious applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to rogue websites, intrusive advertisements are delivered. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites. |
| Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased internet speed, significant data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity (malicious apps might abuse communication apps). |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Cerberus and Ginp are examples of malicious programs (Trojans) that are similar to Eventbot. In most cases, cyber criminals attempt to infect devices with such programs so that they can misuse stolen data to steal identities, accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions and/or generate revenue in other ways.
How did Eventbot infiltrate my device?
Research shows that Eventbot is distributed by disguising it as one of a number of legitimate applications. For example, Microsoft Office Word, Adobe Flash Player, and other apps. In summary, devices are installed when users download and install the malicious app (which seems official).
Typically, these rogue apps are promoted on various unofficial web pages, forums, and other dubious download sources.
How to avoid installation of malware
All applications and files should be downloaded from official web pages and through direct links. Third party downloaders, unofficial sites, free file hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule) are used to distribute unwanted and even malicious apps.
Commonly, third party installers are used to distribute malware as well. Update and activate installed apps using tools or implemented functions that are designed by official developers. Other unofficial, third party tools should never be used, since they can be designed to install malicious software.
Furthermore, it is illegal to activate licensed programs with 'cracking' tools. Cyber criminals commonly attempt to infect devices through spam campaigns (emails). Therefore, attachments (and web links) that are included in irrelevant/dubious emails should never be opened, especially if such emails are received from unknown, suspicious addresses.
Eventbot detected as a threat by a number of antivirus engines:
Quick menu:
- Introduction
- How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
- How to reset the Chrome web browser?
- How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
- How to reset the Firefox web browser?
- How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
- How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
- How to check the battery usage of various applications?
- How to check the data usage of various applications?
- How to install the latest software updates?
- How to reset the system to its default state?
- How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?
Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots in the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened drop-down menu.
Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".
Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots in the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened drop-down menu.
Scroll down until you see the "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see the "Notifications" option and tap it.
Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications.
When you visit the same site again, it might ask permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions (if you choose to decline, the website will go to the "Blocked" section and will no longer ask for the permission).
Reset the Chrome web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. Therefore, all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login to all websites.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots in the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened drop-down menu.
Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".
Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:
Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".
In the opened pop-up, opt-in to the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".
Reset the Firefox web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. Therefore, all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites.
Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".
Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":
The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent you from doing so when the device is running "normally").
Press the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds, the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you will be able run it by restarting the device.
Check the battery usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.
Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use the least energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and save power. Therefore, high battery usage can indicate that the application is malicious.
Check the data usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. Therefore, significant data usage might indicate the presence of a malicious application.
Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to a wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses extensive data, even though you never actively use it, we strongly advise you to uninstall the app as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping software up to date is a good practice for device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cyber criminals. An outdated system is much more vulnerable, and thus you should always be sure that your device software is up to date.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.
Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend that you enable the "Download updates automatically" option - this will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and will often install it automatically.
Reset the system to its default state:
Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system settings to the defaults and clean the device in general.
Note, however, that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so on. I.e., the device will be restored to its factory state.
You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;
Disable applications that have administrator privileges:
If a malicious application receives administrator-level privileges, it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible, check which apps have such privileges and disable those that should not.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".
Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".
Outstanding!
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