How to remove ToxicPanda from Android devices
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is ToxicPanda?
ToxicPanda is a banking Trojan targeting Android users. Its main function is to initiate money transfers from hacked devices through account takeover (ATO) using a method called On-Device Fraud (ODF). Some of the commands available in ToxicPanda are not fully functioning, as the malware is still in the early development phase.
ToxicPanda in detail
ToxicPanda takes advantage of Android's accessibility features to gain permissions, manipulate user actions, and steal data from other apps, which makes it dangerous for banking apps. Also, the malware allows attackers to remotely control the infected device, enabling them to perform actions like making transactions or altering account settings without the user's awareness.
This makes it a useful and effective tool for carrying out On-Device Fraud (ODF), a dangerous form of banking fraud. Furthermore, ToxicPanda can capture one-time passwords (OTPs) sent by SMS or generated by authentication apps, helping cybercriminals bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) and approve transactions.
Also, this malware can access phone albums and send images to the command and control (C2) server. This can be an effective method for stealing sensitive information, such as screenshots with login details. ToxicPanda also allows threat actors to obtain information such as the infected device's ID and status, brand and model, geolocation based on time zone, and details about the software version.
With ToxicPanda, cybercriminals can commit identity theft, perform unauthorized transactions (steal money from victims' accounts without their knowledge), and possibly more. It is important to note that the malware constantly updates its obfuscation techniques to evade detection. It employs code-hiding methods that make it challenging for security researchers to analyze.
| Name | ToxicPanda banking Trojan |
| Threat Type | Android Malware, Banking Trojan |
| Detection Names | Combo Cleaner (Android.Trojan.SpyAgent.JA), ESET-NOD32 (Android/Spy.Banker.DEX), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.SpyNote.cb), Sophos (Android Obfuscated APK (PUA)), 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 | Third-party app stores, shady websites, infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications. |
| 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. |
Conclusion
ToxicPanda is a highly effective malware that allows cybercriminals to steal sensitive data, bypass security measures, and commit financial fraud. Its ability to remotely control infected devices and evade detection makes it a serious threat to both individuals and organizations.
More examples of Android malware are AwSpy, Octo2, and Necro.
How did ToxicPanda infiltrate my device?
ToxicPanda is distributed through side-loading, where users are tricked into downloading malicious apps via social engineering tactics, such as fake offers or phishing messages. These apps are installed outside official app stores, bypassing security measures. Once installed, the malware activates and begins stealing data, controlling the device, and committing fraud.
The distribution of ToxicPanda involves using popular icons, such as those for Google Chrome and VISA, along with decoy icons that resemble popular dating apps. This approach increases the malware's chances of tricking users into downloading or interacting with the malicious app.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Always install apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store. Avoid downloading apps from third-party sites, unofficial app stores, etc. Use Google Play Protect to scan for harmful apps. Use trusted antivirus or anti-malware apps to detect and remove malicious software.
Keep your device’s operating system and apps up to date. Avoid clicking suspicious links, ads, and pop-ups or downloading attachments from unknown emails and messages.
The administration panel of ToxicPanda (source: cleafy.com):
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 ToxicPanda malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
You can remove the malware by formatting your storage device, but this will delete all your files and other data. Before resorting to formatting, it is better to first run a reliable security tool, such as Combo Cleaner, to try and eliminate ToxicPanda from your system.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware attacks can lead to stolen personal information, financial losses, slower computer performance, additional malware infections, identity theft, and various other problems.
What is the purpose of ToxicPanda?
ToxicPanda is a banking Trojan designed to initiate money transfers from compromised devices through account takeover (ATO) and On-Device Fraud (ODF). Its main goal is to bypass bank security measures, including identity verification and behavioral detection, to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
How did ToxicPanda infiltrate my device?
ToxicPanda likely infiltrated your device through side-loading, where you were tricked into installing a malicious app or via a deceptive email or message, third-party app store, fraudulent advertisement, or a similar channel.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known malware, but advanced threats may hide deep within the system, so a full system scan is often needed to fully eliminate them.
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