How to remove Oscorp malware from your Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Oscorp?
Oscorp is malware targeting devices that use the Android operating system. It has various malicious functionality. Oscorp's capabilities include data extraction, sending text messages, making telephone calls, spying, removing anti-virus tools, etc.
Due to its many dangerous features, Oscorp is classified as a highly dangerous piece of software. Therefore, it must be removed immediately upon detection.
Oscorp's operations depend on the Android AccessibilityService. This service is designed to aid users with disabilities use, read, and otherwise interact with their devices. The nature of the accessibility services allows them access to what is displayed on the screen (including what the user types) and to simulate the touch screen.
This malware requires the AccessibilityService to be enabled. Should this not be the case, it continuously displays a screen requesting the service to be allowed, thus forcing the user to consent in the hope that the screen will no longer appear.
If these services are enabled, but not access to the device usage statistics, Oscorp will also begin showing the settings screen until the desired effect is achieved. From then on, the malware gains all the permissions it needs automatically (i.e., without user interference).
Oscorp collects the following information from the infected device: the phone's model, telephone operator, and list of installed applications. This piece of malicious software can open apps, disable, and uninstall them. The latter is particularly relevant in relation to installed anti-virus tools.
Among the system protection/malware removal software that Oscorp targets are: Avast, Avira, Dr.Web, ESET, Lookout, PCProtect, Symantec, Total AV, and Trend Micro. It also disables applications that contain these strings in their names: com.wsandroid.suite, security, clean, virus, junk, malware, anti, guard, boost, scan, kms, cleaner, etc.
This malicious application can manage SMS messages (send and delete them). Likewise, it is capable of making phone calls. Oscorp's spying abilities are audio and video (screen) recording. The malware targets cryptocurrency transactions as well. Specifically, on the Blockchain.com wallet app, it can replace recipient cryptowallet addresses with those belonging to the cyber criminals.
Oscorp's main functionality is in fact keylogging. To elaborate, it can record any and all typed information. Cyber criminals are particularly interested in: log-in credentials (IDs, usernames, and passwords) of various applications, apps, and services; names; addresses; emails; banking account and credit card details; and so on.
Hijacked communication accounts (e.g., emails, social networking, social media, messengers, etc.) can be used to ask contacts/friends for loans and/or to spread malware under the guise of the genuine owner.
Stolen banking accounts or others that deal with finances/financial information (e.g., digital wallets, cryptowallets, online money transferring, e-commerce, etc.) can be used to make fraudulent transactions and online purchases.
In summary, Oscorp infections can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
If it is known/suspected that Oscorp (or other malware) has already infected the device, use anti-virus software to eliminate it without delay.
| Name | Oscorp virus |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.45634298), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Banker.AWJ), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Banker.AndroidOS.Swarz.a), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without users' permission, dubious applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to bogus 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, huge 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. |
ThiefBot, Cerberus, Basbanke, Joker, and Anubis are some examples of other Android-targeting malware. Malicious software can have a broad range of functionalities, which can cause likewise varied problems for its victims. Regardless of how malware operates, it always poses a threat to device integrity and user safety.
Therefore, prioritize safety - regularly scan the device for threats and other issues.
How did Oscorp infiltrate my device?
Oscorp has been observed being proliferated via malicious websites. This is a common distribution technique in malware proliferation. Malignant content is often spread through untrustworthy download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party sources.
Malware is often disguised as or bundled with ordinary software/media. Illegal activation tools ("cracks") and fake updaters are prime examples of such content.
"Cracking" tools can infect systems instead of activating licensed products. Rogue updaters cause infections by exploiting flaws of outdated software and/or by installing malware rather than the promised updates. Spam campaigns are mass-scale operations during which thousands of deceptive/scam emails are sent.
The messages can contain download links of infectious files and/or the files are attached to the emails. Virulent files can be in various formats including archives, executables, PDF and Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript, etc. When these files are opened, the infection process (i.e., malware download/installation) is triggered.
How to avoid installation of malware
You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software.
Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations.
Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.
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 on 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 on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened drop-down menu.
Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "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, however, once you revisit the same site, it may ask for 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 you for 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. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You must also re-login into all websites.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on 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 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. This means that 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":
"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").
Push 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 as little energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may 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. This means that significant data usage may indicate the presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only.
For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice for device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order 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/or 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 default and clean the device in general, however, bear in mind 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.
In other words, 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 gains administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check which apps have such privileges and disable ones 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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