How to eliminate DroidBot from infected devices
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is DroidBot?
DroidBot is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) targeting Android users. It can monitor user interface, log keystrokes, and perform hidden VNC and overlay attacks. It employs dual-channel communication, sending data via MQTT and receiving commands over HTTPS for improved flexibility and resilience.
DroidBot overview
Similar to other modern Android banking malware, DroidBot abuses Accessibility Services to execute its malicious activities. DroidBot captures screenshots of the victim’s device at regular intervals, allowing threat actors to monitor the device’s activity in real time. Also, when the victim opens their real banking app, DroidBot can show a counterfeit login page on top of it.
The fake page is designed to look like the real one. It is used to trick the victim into entering their credentials. Once entered, the malware captures these details. Furthermore, DroidBot can steal information displayed on the screen or entered by the victim. This data can include login credentials, credit card details, and various other information.
Moreover, DroidBot can access incoming text messages, including those used by banks to send transaction authentication numbers for the verification of transactions. This functionality allows attackers to intercept those numbers and bypass two-factor authentication.
Lastly, DroidBot can exploit Accessibility Services for remote control of the infected device. With this capability, the attackers can remotely tap buttons, fill out forms, navigate apps, and more. Victims of DroidBot can face severe consequences, including financial loss from unauthorized transactions, identity theft due to stolen login credentials and personal data, and compromised bank accounts.
| Name | DroidBot RAT (Remote Access Trojan) |
| Threat Type | Android malware, Remote Access Trojan (RAT), Spyware |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (Android:Evo-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Android.Trojan.SpyAgent.PB), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/TrojanDropper.Agent.MGV), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Hqwar.gy), 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 | 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. |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
DroidBot is a highly dangerous malware that steals sensitive information, bypasses security measures, and gives attackers full control over infected devices. This can lead to significant financial loss and privacy breaches for victims. If there is a reason to suspect that the malware has infiltrated a device, it should be removed as soon as possible.
More examples of Android malware are ToxicPanda, AwSpy, and Octo2.
How did DroidBot infiltrate my device?
DroidBot is typically distributed through deceptive methods designed to trick users into installing it. Attackers often use decoys, which are fake apps that appear to be legitimate, such as generic security applications, Google services, or popular banking apps.
Once the victim installs the app, DroidBot is activated, allowing attackers to gain control of the device, steal sensitive information, and bypass security measures. It is important to note that cybercriminals can exploit legitimate app stores like Google Play to distribute their malicious apps.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Stick to trusted app stores like Google Play and official websites for downloads. Before downloading an app, read user reviews and check ratings for any signs of suspicious activity. Ensure your Android device and apps are updated regularly. Use a reputable mobile antivirus app that can detect and block malicious software.
Be cautious about clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media. Do not click ads, pop-ups, and similar elements on dubious web pages.
DroidBot promoted on a hacker forum (source: cleafy.com):
DroidBot C2 panel (source: cleafy.com):
Fake apps delivering DroidBot (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 DroidBot malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
In most cases, reputable security tools can effectively remove malware without the need to format your device, detecting and eliminating harmful files while keeping your data.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and decreased system performance. Also, malware can deploy additional payloads, encrypt files, and cause privacy issues.
What is the purpose of DroidBot?
The purpose of DroidBot is to steal sensitive information, bypass security measures, and give attackers remote control of infected Android devices for malicious activities like financial theft and data compromise.
How did DroidBot infiltrate my device?
DroidBot likely infiltrated your device through a deceptive app, such as a fake security or banking app, downloaded from an unofficial source.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known malware infections. However, advanced malware often hides deeply within the system, so performing a full system scan is essential.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion