How to eliminate PixStealer malware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is PixStealer malware?
PixStealer is the name of a banking Trojan, a malicious Android application targeting the Pix payment system and Brazilian bank applications. It abuses Android’s Accessibility Service. Research shows that cybercriminals used Google Play to distribute PixStealer by disguising it as PagBank application offering cashback service.
PixStealer in detail
PixStealer malware is used to steal money using Pix transactions. It transfers money from the victim's account to the account belonging to cybercriminals after it has received permission to access Accessibility Service.
Before PixStealer can steal money, it has to make sure that a victim has passed two-factor authentication, uploaded documents, and a selfie that confirms the bank account's ownership. After that, the only thing that a victim has to do is open a fake banking app with PixStealer hidden in it and enter login credentials.
Once a victim has logged in, PixStealer starts the transaction - it transfers money from the victim's account to the account belonging to cybercriminals.
| Name | PixStealer banking malware |
| Threat Type | Android banking malware, malicious application |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized money transactions |
| Distribution methods | Fake applications on Google Play |
| Damage | Monetary loss |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
PixStealer malware uses the Pix payment system to transfer money from the victim’s account to another account controlled by cybercriminals by abusing the Accessibility Service on the victim's mobile phone. The purpose of this malware is to steal money without being detected. More Android malware examples are AlienBot, ThiefBot, and Vultur.
How did PixStealer infiltrate my device?
It is known that PixStealer is distributed using Google Play by disguising it as an application that is supposed to provide cashback service. One of the fake apps that had PixStealer in them was called Pag Cashback.
Other ways to distribute malware are to use Peer-to-Peer networks, emails (links or attachments in them), installers for cracked software or software cracking tools, fake updaters.
How to avoid installation of malware?
It is strongly recommended to use only official and verified download sources. Installed software must be activated and updated using functions provided by official developers. Suspicious, irrelevant emails have to be ignored, especially if they have files or links in them.
The operating system should have a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware suite installed on it. System scans should be performed regularly.
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 dropdown 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 dropdown 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 visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you 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. 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 as well.
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 dropdown 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 as well.
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 users 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'll 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 low 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 huge data usage may indicate 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 when it comes to 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 way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's 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 to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it 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's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep 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 forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal 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 gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.
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".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My device is infected with PixStealer malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
No, there's no need for such drastic measures. Malware like PixStealer can be removed without formatting.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Depending on the type of malware, it may lead to identity theft, financial losses, decreased computer performance, further infections. The purpose of PixStealer is to steal funds from the victim's Pix banking account.
What is the purpose of a malware?
As a rule, cybercriminals use malware to generate revenue. Cybercriminals could use malware for personal reasons (for example, to harm someone they know), to interrupt certain processes, disturb companies, or even attack countries. In some cases, cybercriminals can use malware for their own amusement.
How did a malware infiltrate my device?
Most malicious applications are distributed using phishing emails (malicious links or attachments in emails) or other social engineering techniques like fake virus notifications on deceptive websites. Also, they are distributed through drive-by downloads, various Peer-to-Peer networks, software cracking tools (or installers for cracked software). Sometimes, malware can spread itself through local networks and removable storage devices like external hard drives, USB flash drives. Android malware is often distributed using Google Play.
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