CryptoLocker Ransomware on Android, soon?

Ink

Administrator
Thread author
Verified
Staff Member
Well-known
Jan 8, 2011
22,361
How soon..?

ThreatPost reports that the Reveton cyber-crime gang is advertising an Android version of CryptoLocker. This program seems to have no way to actively infect an Android smartphone or tablet. To get it you have to actually download the APK file.

To trick you into doing this, the malware masquerades as a porn application. As you'd expect, this malware is designed to hide out on porn sites. If I'd said it once, I've said it a thousand times, never download Android apps from third-party sites of any sort and don't, no matter what operating system you're running, download programs from porn sites.

If you're fool enough to do this anyway and get infected, any time you try to use your device, you'll be shown a warning display that accuses you of viewing child pornography or equally ugly and illegal porn. It then goes on to say that you'll face a jail term of five to 11 years, unless, of course, you make a payment of $300 via MoneyPak. This is a legitimate pre-paid debt card service.

At this time, it's unclear if this malware, labeled Koler.A really is a port of CryptoLocker or simply a malware program using the infamous ransomware name in vain. From the limited experience security companies have had with this program it seems most likely it is not actually encrypting your files.

Source: ThreatPost via ZDNet
 

Icy

Level 2
Verified
Apr 10, 2014
93
It isn't a cryptolocker but an app that prevents you from using your phone. You can easily fix that by uninstalling the app by booting in safe mode.
 

14troy14

Level 1
May 12, 2011
46
It isn't a cryptolocker but an app that prevents you from using your phone. You can easily fix that by uninstalling the app by booting in safe mode.

I know. I'm saying that if a Cleaner for it as been released, it means that CryptoLocker has started infecting devices.
 

Mateotis

Level 10
Verified
Well-known
Mar 28, 2014
497
The thing about Android malware is, it cannot be automatically applied like it could on PCs. You always have to manually install the apk file. Social engineering and common sense will play an even bigger part here.
 

14troy14

Level 1
May 12, 2011
46
You're right, but it's still possible for an application to be installed silently after making you press a button that you never thought it could install an application, for example. You can get easily tricked.
 

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