How to avoid installation of malware like Octo banking Trojan
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Octo?
Octo is the name of the Android malware, a banking Trojan targeting Android users. Octo is pretty similar to another banking Trojan called ExobotCompact that was active until 2018 and targeted financial institutions.
Octo banking Trojan in detail
Octo banking Trojan has a remote access capability and uses anti-detection and anti-removal techniques. The remote access capability allows cybercriminals behind Octo to perform on-device fraud (to initiate transactions from the infected device). However, this cannot happen without users enabling Accessibility Services.
It is known that Octo can capture screen contents in real-time, perform overlay attacks on banking and other apps, and log keystrokes. These features allow the attackers to capture entered credentials, a lock pattern or PIN used to unlock the device, and websites in the Chrome browser. Also, they allow them to gather information about clicked elements (and capture all clicks/taps made with the device) and steal contacts.
Moreover, Octo malware can receive commands from the C2 server to block push notifications from specified apps, disable and enable SMS interception, stop the Trojan, open websites, show push notifications, launch apps, send text messages, and more.
| Name | Octo banking malware |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), DrWeb (Android.BankBot.Coper.773), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/TrojanDropper.Agent.JFX), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Agent.sm), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Loss of access to personal accounts (bannking and other apps), sent SMS messages, stopped push notifications. |
| Distribution methods | Malicious apps on Google Play Store, online advertisements, social engineering, malicious websites. |
| Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, 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. |
Octo banking Trojan in general
Octo is a dangerous malware that puts at risk both banking applications and all the other apps installed on the infected Android device. It can read the content of any application displayed on the screen. More examples of Android banking Trojans are Escobar, Xenomorph, and Medusa.
How did Octo infiltrate my device?
Octo banking Trojan is distributed via malicious websites and dropper apps (e.g., "Fast Cleaner", "Pocket Screencaster") in Google Play Store. Also, Octo is distributed using fake software updates (e.g., Google Chrome, Play Store update). Octo is rental banking, which means it can be used by numerous threat actors maintaining different campaigns (using different methods to distribute this malware).
How to avoid installation of malware?
Get antivirus software and protect your device from virus attacks. Do not download suspicious applications (e.g., apps with a low count of reviews). Always use legitimate sources for downloading files and apps. Inspect applications (read their reviews) before downloading them.
Do not open links in suspicious emails or text messages. Do not trust advertisements and notifications displayed by or on shady websites.
Various administration panels of Octo Banking Trojan:
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)
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can cause data, monetary loss, identity theft, additional infections, and other problems. It depends on the type of a malicious application.
What is the purpose of Octo banking Trojan?
It is a banking malware that can steal information used to access banking and other installed applications. It also has additional capabilities (they are described in the article above).
How did Octo banking malware infiltrate my computer?
It is known that Octo is distributed via malicious websites, dropper apps in Google Play Store, and fake software updates. It can be rented by any cybercriminal, which means its distribution methods can vary.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware. This application included quick and full scan options. Devices infected with high-end malware have to be scanned using the full scan. Otherwise, the antivirus software will not be able to detect malware that is hiding deep in the system.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion