A new type of Android malware is being found in thousands of apps that researchers have found in popular apps such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and more.



The danger lies in the fact that it is almost impossible to remove.

Lookout Security, a mobile security firm, discovered the new so-called "trojanized adware," which puts a new twist on how cybercriminals are generating money.

The method is that malicious actors are taking legit apps and repackage the app with baked-in adware. It is then served up in third party app stores. Once installed, the app takes root in the entire phone's system which can cause further malware to be downloaded and it also serves up ads.

The company said: "Because these pieces of adware root the device and install themselves as system applications, they become nearly impossible to remove, usually forcing victims to replace their device in order to regain normalcy."

This is another reason to only download apps from legit sources like the Google Play store.

Source: ZDNet