How to remove Phoenix backdoor from Android devices
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Phoenix?
Phoenix refers to a backdoor malware specifically designed to target Android users. In general, backdoor malware like Phoenix is a type of malicious software that clandestinely gains access to a user's device, potentially compromising its security and privacy. Thus, victims of the Phoenix attacks should remove the malware from their devices immediately.
Phoenix backdoor overview
The Phoenix malware is a sophisticated and malicious piece of software that primarily targets Android users, aiming to compromise their devices and infringe upon their privacy. This malware is equipped with a range of nefarious functions designed to enable cybercriminals to infiltrate and control infected devices covertly.
One of its key features is the ability to establish a VNC (Virtual Network Computing) connection along with a black screen, effectively giving attackers remote access to the compromised device. This can be particularly concerning as it allows unauthorized individuals to view and manipulate the device's screen, potentially accessing sensitive information.
Furthermore, Phoenix boasts the HiddenVNC capability, a tool adept at bypassing security measures, including those of banking and cryptocurrency applications. This not only puts users' financial assets at risk but also highlights the malware's potential for evading detection by security software.
Additionally, the malware incorporates a keylogger function, permitting attackers to record keystrokes made on the infected device, potentially capturing usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information. It also has the ability to steal seed phrases (used to access crypto wallets), intercept SMS messages, and forward calls, further undermining user privacy and security.
The Phoenix malware is not confined to a single Android version; it is known to affect devices running Android versions 7 to 13. The malware has undergone testing on various popular Android brands, including Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Huawei, and Oppo devices, suggesting a wide-ranging threat landscape.
The malware features a user-friendly panel that can be set up either on the publicly accessible Internet or within the Tor network, making it even more challenging to trace and combat its activities.
| Name | Phoenix malware |
| Threat Type | Backdoor malware, Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission, 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, 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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Phoenix backdoor malware represents a formidable and highly adaptable threat to Android users. With a broad range of malicious functionalities, from remote screen access to banking app bypass capabilities, Phoenix can compromise both the security and privacy of infected devices.
Its ability to operate on a wide array of Android versions and popular smartphone brands highlights the urgency for users to remain vigilant and prioritize cybersecurity best practices.
More examples of malware targeting Android users are Remo Trojan, MMRat Malware, and CherryBlos Malware.
How did Phoenix infiltrate my device?
Downloading and installing apps from untrusted sources, outside of official app stores like Google Play, can lead to the installation of malware on Android devices. These malicious apps often masquerade as legitimate applications.
Users may fall victim to phishing attacks through emails, SMS messages, or deceptive websites that prompt them to download malicious apps or click on harmful links. These tactics can lead to malware infections. Outdated Android operating systems and applications with unpatched vulnerabilities can also be exploited by cybercriminals to deliver malware onto devices.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Download apps exclusively from trusted sources like the Google Play Store. These platforms rigorously vet apps for security. Review app permissions before installation. Read user reviews and ratings before downloading apps to assess their trustworthiness and performance. Avoid apps that request excessive or unnecessary access to your device's functions and data.
Activate Google Play Protect in your device settings to scan apps for malware regularly. Be cautious of unsolicited emails, messages, or links. Keep your operating system and apps up-to-date. Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware apps from trusted developers to provide additional protection.
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 computer is infected with Phoenix malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
If your device is infected with Phoenix malware, formatting your storage device is an extreme and effective method to remove the malware. However, it should be considered a last resort because formatting will erase all data on the storage device, including your operating system and personal files. Before resorting to formatting, try running reputable security software like Combo Cleaner to scan and remove the Phoenix malware.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can compromise and steal sensitive data, including personal information, financial details, and login credentials, leading to identity theft and financial losses. Malware can disrupt the normal operation of a computer or network, causing system crashes, slow performance, and rendering the device or network unusable. In cases of ransomware or banking trojans, malware can lead to direct financial losses.
What is the purpose of Phoenix malware?
Phoenix malware is designed for malicious purposes, including unauthorized access to Android devices, data theft and financial fraud. It can log keystrokes, steal seed phrases, establish a VNC connection, and more.
How did a malware infiltrate my device?
The specific method of malware infiltration can vary, but common ways include downloading malicious files or apps from untrusted sources, opening infected email attachments or links, visiting compromised websites, or exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software or operating systems. In some cases, social engineering tactics, such as phishing, may trick users into inadvertently installing malware on their devices.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and eliminating almost all known malware infections. Keep in mind that high-end malware usually hides deep in the system. For this reason, running a full system scan is a must.
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