How to remove Ahmyth RAT
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Ahmyth?
Ahmyth is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) targeting Android users. It is distributed via trojanized (fake) applications. Ahmyth RAT steals cryptocurrency and banking credentials, 2FA codes, lock screen passcodes, and captures screenshots.
Ahmyth in detail
Ahmyth steals cryptocurrency and banking accounts using its keylogging and credential theft capabilities. The targeted apps include Binance, Bitpie, Bypit, Coinbase, Huobi, imToken, and other cryptocurrency applications. Also, Ahmyth targets ACB One, MB Bank, MSB mBank, Vietcombank, and VietinBank - banking apps created for Vietnamese users.
Its ability to steal two-factor authentication (2FA) codes increases the chance of successfully hijacking online cryptocurrency and banking accounts. Also, Ahmyth can capture screenshots and steal lock screen passcodes.
It appears that Ahmyth is used mostly to steal cryptocurrency and money in online banking accounts by making fraudulent transactions. Thus, having a device infected with Ahmyth will most likely result in monetary loss.
| Name | Ahmyth remote administration trojan |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (APK:RepMalware [Trj]), BitDefenderFalx (Android.Riskware.FakeApp.QJ), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Agent.BKE), Kaspersky (HEUR:Backdoor.AndroidOS.Ahmyth.k), 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 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. |
More about Ahmyth
Applications containing Ahmyth are distributed via phishing websites, cryptocurrency-related pages, and various pages containing NSFW material (e.g., pictures of naked people). This RAT may also be distributed via third-party (unofficial) stores and by sending links to shady websites or stores via email and SMS.
How did Ahmyth infiltrate my device?
Ahmyth starts malicious activities after downloading and installing a fake (trojanized) application. There are multiple apps containing Ahmyth malware. Those apps are disguised mostly as cryptocurrency-related and adult dating (and similar) apps.
As we mentioned in the previous paragraphs, fake apps with Ahmyth hidden in them are distributed via phishing websites, cryptocurrency-related sites, and NSFW pages.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Do research on apps before downloading them (read their reviews). Avoid downloading apps with no (or few) reviews. Download apps from official pages and stores/marketplaces. Do not click ads appearing on shady pages or suspicious links received via SMS or email. Keep all apps (and the operating system) updated.
Keep Google Play Protect enabled. Use reputed antivirus for protection.
Screenshot of fake apps containing Ahmyth RAT (source: TrendMicro):
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?
Data and monetary loss, hijacked online accounts, additional infections, identity theft, decreased device performance, etc.
What is the purpose of Ahmyth malware?
This malware aims to steal cryptocurrency and banking applications. Cybercriminals use it to make fraudulent transactions (drain accounts). Also, Ahmyth can steal lock screen passcodes and capture the screen.
How did Ahmyth infiltrate my device?
This app is distributed via fake cryptocurrency-related and adult dating (and similar) apps. These apps are distributed via crypto-related pages, phishing websites, and various NSFW sites. Devices become infected after downloading and installing trojanized apps containing Ahmyth.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove malicious applications and files. Since high-end malware usually hides deep in the system, it is strongly recommended to run a full system scan to eliminate malware.
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