How to remove Marcher malware from Android
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of malware is Marcher?
Marcher is a banking trojan targeting Android devices. This malware is multi-functional and its primary goal to acquire banking and other finance-related information. Marcher has been around since at least 2013 and has undergone changes throughout the years.
Marcher malware overview
Upon installation, Marcher requests a variety of permissions – many of which are not standard for Android applications. One of the most extraordinary is the request to operate as the device administrator. Thus, the trojan is able to change and control system settings.
Marcher ensures persistence by automatically starting upon each device reboot. It collects a broad range of relevant device data, including battery stats, Wi-Fi network details, precise geolocation information, and so on. The malicious program can also connect to and disconnect from Wi-Fi networks.
It can prevent the device from going to sleep, lock it, and stop it from vibrating. These abilities could have various uses, for example – to avoid activity interruptions or to attract user attention, stop user interaction, and prevent notifications/messages/alerts from being noticed.
Additionally, Marcher can access external storage (e.g., SD cards) as well as read, modify, and delete the content therein. Its communication-related functionalities include gathering contact lists, managing SMSes (i.e., reading, writing/creating, sending), and making phone calls (without displaying the interface and requiring user interaction).
These capabilities enable Marcher to be used as Toll Fraud malware, yet there is no confirmation that it has been employed in this manner. Since the trojan can steal text messages, it could obtain OTPs (One-Time Passwords) and 2FA/MFA (Two/Multi-Factor Authentication) codes – which are commonly utilized to facilitate financial services.
As mentioned in the introduction, Marcher targets banking and financial data. It acquires this information by overlaying genuine apps with phishing screens that closely mimic the original (overlay attack).
These overlays can imitate banking application sign-in or verification pages. For example, this program has been used to impersonate bank apps asking to provide log-in credentials or personal data and payment verification pages (i.e., Google Play Store requesting credit card details).
It is worth mentioning that malware developers often improve upon their creations and methods; therefore, possible future iterations of Marcher could possess additional or different features.
To summarize, the presence of software like Marcher on devices can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Marcher malware |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, banking trojan, trojan. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (APK:RepMalware [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (Multiple Detections), Fortinet (Android/Agent.FRJ!tr), Ikarus (Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Agent), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Dropper.AndroidOS.Hqwar.df), 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. |
| Distribution methods | Fake updates, 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-specific banking trojan examples
Brokewell, Greenbean, and TrickMo are just a couple of our articles on Android-centered banking trojans.
Malware is a term that covers programs with a wide variety of functionalities, ranging from stealing specific data to locking devices for ransom purposes. However, regardless of how a piece of malicious software operates – its presence threatens device integrity and user privacy. Therefore, all threats must be removed immediately upon detection.
How did Marcher infiltrate my device?
Marcher has been around for many years and was spread using various techniques. One of the noteworthy past campaigns proliferated this trojan through spam emails directing users to phishing sites.
The pages were disguised as banking websites requesting account log-in credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive data. After user compliance, they were redirected to pages urging them to install a new bank or banking security app – thus luring them into downloading Marcher.
The latest campaigns utilized the Web inject technique. To elaborate, victims of it access legitimate sites that have been compromised by being injected with malicious code (typically JavaScript). Generally, in Web injects, the goal can range from data theft to malware infiltration.
In these campaigns, a Traffic Distribution Service (TDS) was used to redirect the visitor elsewhere based on specific criteria. Fake Google Chrome browser update is a known lure promoting Marcher. One of the observed campaigns pushed Android users into installing Marcher, FrigidStealer for Mac users, and Lumma or DeerStealer for Windows users. Note that all kinds of malicious programs can be distributed through this method.
It is pertinent to mention that this Web inject infrastructure involves many threat actors, not all of whom are collaborating. Thus, it is possible that these campaigns may be facilitated through a for-profit cybercrime service.
However, Marcher could be spread by relying on other tactics. Prevalent methods include: drive-by (stealthy/deceptive) downloads, malicious attachments/links in spam mail (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, etc.), malvertising, online scams, dubious download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, third-party app stores, etc.), fake updaters, and illegal software activation tools ("cracks").
What is more, some malicious programs can self-proliferate via local networks and removable storage devices (e.g., external hard drives, USB flash drives, etc.).
How to avoid installation of malware?
Caution is paramount to device/user safety. Therefore, always research software by checking user/expert reviews, inspecting necessary permissions, and verifying developer legitimacy. Download only from official and trustworthy sources. Activate/Update programs using legitimate functions/tools, as those obtained from third-parties can contain malware.
Additionally, be careful while browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and dangerous content. Approach incoming emails and other messages with caution; do not open attachments or links present in suspicious mail.
It is essential to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. Security software must be used to run regular system scans and to remove detected threats and issues.
Appearance of a fake Chrome update lure proliferating Marcher malware (image source – Proofpoint blog):
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 Marcher malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
Malware removal rarely requires formatting.
What are the biggest issues that Marcher malware can cause?
The dangers posed by malware depend on its abilities and the cyber criminals' goals. Marcher is a multi-functional trojan targeting finance-related data. Generally, infections of this kind can lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
What is the purpose of Marcher malware?
Malware is primarily used for profit. However, malicious software could be used to amuse the attackers or realize their personal vendettas, disrupt processes (e.g., sites, companies, services, etc.), engage in hacktivism, and launch politically/geopolitically motivated attacks.
How did Marcher malware infiltrate my Android device?
Marcher has been spread using various methods, including spam emails redirecting users to malicious sites and Web inject campaigns wherein the trojan infiltrates devices under the guise of browser updates.
In general, the most prevalent malware distribution techniques include: drive-by downloads, suspect download sources (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, third-party app stores, P2P sharing networks, etc.), spam mail, online scams, malvertising, fake updates, and illegal activation tools ("cracks"). Some malicious programs can self-proliferate via local networks and removable storage devices.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and removing nearly all known malware infections. Keep in mind that since high-end malicious programs typically hide deep within systems – running a complete system scan is crucial.
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