How to remove L3MON RAT from the Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is L3MON?
L3MON is an Android malware with a remote administration Trojan (RAT) functionality. It misuses the Accessibility services to steal sensitive information and perform other actions. We have discovered L3MON RAT while inspecting a trojanized Sathi Chat app that impersonates tje Crazy Talk messaging app.
More about L3MON RAT
L3MON RAT can steal contacts, SMS messages, call logs, and files with various extensions from various directories. Also, it can steal sent and received WhatsApp and Signal messages, record audio, and more. Moreover, L3MON can forward received SMS messages and messages from email clients, Facebook, Instagram, and other apps.
Depending on the collected information, cybercriminals may misuse it to steal identities, personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases (or even transactions), etc. It seems that L3MON RAT is misused mainly to steal sensitive information. Either way, it has to be removed from the infected Android devices as soon as possible.
| Name | L3MON remote access Trojan |
| Threat Type | Android malware, remote access Trojan |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), BitDefenderFalx (Android.Riskware.Agent.JQJ), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Agent.BQH), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.Agent.aat), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission, questionable applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to questionable websites, intrusive advertisements are delivered. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive/trojanized 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 |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Malware in general
Typically, Android malware is used to steal credit card details, ID card details, passwords, and other sensitive information that allows cybercriminals to gain access to banking (or other apps) or monetize it in other ways. More examples of malware targeting Android users are SMSControllo, Fakecalls, and Octo.
How did L3MON infiltrate my device?
We have found that L3MON malware is distributed via trojanized Sathi Chat application. It infects devices through a malicious app. Typically, trojanized apps are distributed using third-party platforms (or other untrustworthy sources) or even the Goole Play store.
Typically, cybercriminals disguise their malware as legitimate software. It is known that L3MON impersonates an app called Crazy Talk (it could impersonate other apps too).
How to avoid installation of malware?
Examine apps before downloading them. Read their reviews and check their rating. Always use legitimate sources (platforms and websites) to download apps and files. Avoid using third-party downloaders, platforms, unofficial pages, and other sources of this kind.
Keep the operating system and installed apps up to date. Do not trust suspicious SMS messages containing website links. The same applies to irrelevant emails received from unknown addresses.
Screenshot of the L3MON RAT impersonating the Crazy Talk app:
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?
In most cases, malware causes problems such as identity theft, monetary loss, data encryption, hijacked banking (and other) apps, etc. It depends on the type of malware.
What is the purpose of L3MON malware?
L3MON is a remote access Trojan allowing the attackers to steal contacts, SMS messages, call logs, files, WhatsApp, and Signal messages. Also, it allows them to forward received SMS messages and messages from email clients, Facebook, Instagram, and other apps and record audio.
How did a malware infiltrate my device?
Typically, cybercriminals upload trojanized apps to Google Play or questionable platforms or use shady websites to host their malware. Another popular way to trick users into downloading malware is to send SMS messages or emails containing links (or attachments).
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect almost all known malware and eliminate it. It is important to scan a device fully to remove high-end malware. Running a quick scan is not enough to detect malware of this kind since it can hide deep in the system.
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