How to remove the MoneyMonger malware from your Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is MoneyMonger?
MoneyMonger (also known as SpyLoan) is the name of a malicious program that infiltrates systems under the guise of various apps offering quick loan services. This malware uses the Flutter framework to hide its maliciousness and avoid detection. MoneyMonger operates as spyware and data-stealing malware.
It is actively used by cyber criminals to harass and threaten victims directly. At the time of writing, the malicious application was only available on third-party websites. While MoneyMonger campaigns operate worldwide, concentrated activity has been noted in India and Peru.
MoneyMonger overview
Well-obfuscated and difficult to detect, MoneyMonger is installed onto devices as an application providing loan services. Upon installation, it requests various permissions that are deceptively framed as necessary for the supposed financial service. To elaborate, the fake app asks for SMS permissions by claiming that this will allow the "service providers" to ascertain that the user is not involved in any fraudulent financial activity or is otherwise unsuitable.
In addition to SMS permissions, MoneyMonger obtains device, content, geolocation, call, contact, camera, and microphone related ones. With the text message permission, this malware can read victims' SMS inboxes. Naturally, this includes any OTPs, MFAs/2FAs, or other vulnerable information received in a text message.
This malicious software can likewise access victims' contact lists and call logs. Should MoneyMonger' developers add the ability to send SMSes and/or make phone calls – this program could be used as Toll Fraud malware.
Furthermore, the program can access the content stored on devices (e.g., photos, documents, etc.), and it can record audio and video via the microphone and camera.
Based on available reports, MoneyMonger's campaigns use various social engineering tactics, and the cyber criminals directly interact with victims. The approach can be dictated by the content obtained from infected devices.
There have been instances where explicit images of users were held for ransom under the threat of being leaked to their contacts (sextortion). There were also cases wherein victims were given predatory loans and then continuously harassed through calls and other means for the return of the loaned money with exorbitant interest. Some were targeted with false claims about unreceived payment, while others with various threats.
To summarize, the presence of software like MoneyMonger on devices can result in severe privacy issues, significant financial losses, and identity theft.
If you believe that your Android device is infected with MoneyMonger (or other malware) – run a full system scan with an anti-virus and eliminate the threats without delay.
| Name | MoneyMonger (SpyLoan) virus |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, spyware. |
| Detection Names | DrWeb (Program.CreditSpy.8.origin), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Agent.CCE), F-Secure (Malware.ANDROID/Spy.Agent.GAAF.Gen), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:RiskTool.AndroidOS.SpyLo), Lionic (Riskware.AndroidOS.SpyLoan.z!c), 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. |
Android-targeting malware examples
We have analyzed dozens of Android-specific malicious programs; Fake "System Update" RAT, IcSpy, and Schoolyard Bully are merely a couple of the latest ones.
Malware can have a broad range of functionalities that can be in different combinations. The threats posed by malicious software depend on its capabilities and the cyber criminals' aims.
However, regardless of how malware operates – its presence on a system threatens device integrity and user safety. Therefore, all threats must be removed immediately upon detection.
How did MoneyMonger infiltrate my device?
As mentioned previously, MoneyMonger has been observed being distributed (under the guise of loan applications) on various third-party app stores. However, other distribution methods are likely used as well.
Generally, malware is proliferated by employing phishing and social engineering techniques. This software is usually disguised as or bundled with regular programs/media.
The most widely used proliferation methods include: dubious download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), drive-by (stealthy/deceptive) downloads, malicious attachments and links in spam mail (e.g., emails, SMSes, DMs/DMs, etc.), online scams, malvertising, pirated software and illegal activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updates.
How to avoid installation of malware?
We strongly recommend researching software by reading terms and user/expert reviews, looking at necessary permissions, verifying developer legitimacy, etc. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy channels.
It is just as important to activate and update software using functions/tools provided by legitimate developers, as illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third-party updaters may contain malware.
Another recommendation is to approach incoming mail with caution. The attachments and links present in suspicious/irrelevant emails and other messages – must not be opened, as they can be malicious and cause infections. We also advise being careful when browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content typically appears harmless.
It is paramount for device/user safety to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. Security programs must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove detected threats.
Screenshot of MoneyMonger malware explaining permissions and privacy policy (image source - Zimperium):
Screenshot of MoneyMonger malware promoted on a third-party app store (image source - Zimperium):
Update 2 December, 2024: A recent discovery uncovered 15 new MoneyMonger Android malware apps on Google Play, which had been installed over 8 million times, mainly targeting users in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. These apps have now been removed from the official Android app store.
An earlier removal of MoneyMonger apps on Google Play occurred in December 2023, when more than a dozen apps with a total of 12 million downloads were taken down.
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 Android device is infected with MoneyMonger malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
No, MoneyMonger's removal does not necessitate formatting.
What are the biggest issues that MoneyMonger malware can cause?
The threats posed by a malware infection depend on the software's functionalities and the cyber criminals' modus operandi. MoneyMonger is a malicious program with spyware and data-stealing capabilities.
It has been observed being used to facilitate predatory loan issuing, sextortion, blackmail, and various other social engineering techniques – in order to generate revenue. Therefore, the primary threats associated with MoneyMonger's infections include severe privacy issues and significant financial losses.
What is the purpose of MoneyMonger malware?
Most malicious programs are used to generate revenue, and MoneyMonger is not an exception. However, it is pertinent to mention that these attacks can have other reasons behind them. Cyber criminals can use malware to amuse themselves, carry out personal vendettas, disrupt processes (e.g., websites, services, companies, organizations, etc.), and even launch politically/geopolitically motivated attacks.
How did MoneyMonger malware infiltrate my Android device?
MoneyMonger has been spread through third-party app stores. However, other distribution methods are not unlikely. Malware is most commonly proliferated via drive-by downloads, dubious download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), online scams, malvertising, spam mail (e.g., emails, DMs/PMs, SMSes, etc.), illegal software activation tools ("cracks"), and fake updates.
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