Warning! More Than Ten Million Phones Might Be Infected With HummingBad Virus

Warning! More Than Ten Million Phones Might Be Infected With HummingBad Virus

 There is a new Android computer virus, called HummingBad, that has infected more than 10 million devices around the world.

The malware, it is reported, takes control of devices, forcing users to download apps and click on adverts, which would in turn earn money for the criminals.

Check Point, which is a cyber security software maker, says it has been analysing the virus since it was discovered in February and it was found out that over ten million Android devices have been affected globally.

Check Point claims the malware was created by a group in China called Yingmob. Saying the virus works by targeting a user's phone when it is used to visit certain websites. 

When there is a success record, the attackers gain full access to a device, if rooting fails, a second component uses a fake system update notification, tricking users into granting the virus system-level permissions.

This means that the malware now controls the device and uses its control of permissions to force it to download apps and click on adverts to generate fraudulent advertising revenue.

Check Point said the attackers may also be able to sell access to the devices they compromise, giving away the information that is stored on them.