How to remove Cypher malware from Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Cypher?
Cypher is the name of a remote administration Trojan (RAT) targeting Android users. It allows threat actors to monitor and control infected devices (perform various actions on infected devices). Cypher's creators offer three subscription plans: $100 per month, $200 for three months, and $400 for a lifetime subscription.
What can Cypher do?
Cypher can manage files (e.g., download, upload, copy, paste, rename, edit, delete, and more). Also, it can set a wallpaper, access the list of incoming and outgoing calls and delete them, show SMSes (and delete them), log keystrokes (both online and offline), show, add and delete contacts, show the list of installed apps, and open apps.
Furthermore, Cypher is capable of showing and controlling the screen, using the keyboard, taking screenshots, opening the front and back cameras, taking photos, recording microphone input, locating the infected device, calling numbers, downloading APKs from links, showing messages on the screen, opening various links, and more.
One of Cypher's features is a clipboard hijacker. It can replace crypto wallets stored in the clipboard with the ones owned by threat actors. When a victim makes a transaction without checking the copied wallet address, it sends cryptocurrency to threat actors.
It also can steal Gmail and Facebook accounts and Google 2FA codes, read notifications, get phone information (phone name, model, serial number, MAC address, and Android version).
Cybercriminals can use Cypher to steal sensitive information and online accounts, steal identities, and cryptocurrency, inject other malware, and more. It is a powerful RAT allowing threat actors to perform various malicious activities.
| Name | Cypher remote administration trojan |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, remote access Trojan |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), BitDefenderFalx (Android.Trojan.Agent.ANL), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.SpyMax.T), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.SpyNote.aw), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without permission, questionable applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, browsers redirect to questionable websites, on-screen messages are delivered, changed desktop wallpaper. |
| Distribution methods | Links in emails or text messages, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites, third-party (and possibly official) stores/marketplaces. |
| 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, additional infections, and more. |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
More about Cypher
Cypher includes anti-kill and anti-delete modules preventing it from being killed or removed from infected devices. Also, it can change its icon (it can imitate various apps), bypass Google protection, run automatically after device restart, and more.
More examples of Android malware are Autolycos, FurBall, and FlyTrap.
How did Cypher infiltrate my device?
It is common for Android malware to be distributed via Google Play store and third-party stores. Threat actors upload apps with malware hidden in them to trick users into infecting their devices. Also, mobile malware is distributed via email, text messages, shady websites, non-secure Wi-Fi networks, or using vulnerabilities in operating systems.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Download applications from official stores and pages. Avoid downloading them from third-party stores/marketplaces. Read app reviews before installing apps. Be careful about installing apps with no or few reviews. Keep your device and apps installed on it updated. Use reputed antivirus solutions for protection.
Do not click on links in suspicious text messages and email letters. Avoid clicking on shady advertisements and pop-ups.
Screenshot of the website used for selling Cypher RAT to threat actors:
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?
Victims can lose files, money, and personal accounts, have their identities stolen, have their devices infected with additional malware, and encounter other issues.
What is the purpose of Cypher malware?
Cypher is a remote administration Trojan. It can manage files and contacts, steal Google and Facebook accounts, log keystrokes (record keyboard input), display messages on the screen, call various numbers, open websites, download APK files from websites, hijack clipboards, take screenshots, and more. More information about Cypher's capabilities is provided in our article above.
How did malware infiltrate my device?
Android malware is usually distributed via third-party and even official stores (like Google Play), links in emails or text messages, and non-secure Wi-Fi networks. Also, threat actors can take advantage of vulnerabilities in various software (e.g., outdated software).
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner includes an antivirus scanner that can detect almost all known malware. Devices infected with high-end malware must be scanned using a full system scan feature. Malware of this kind is usually designed to hide deep in the operating system.
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