Security researchers have discovered a new malware strain with spying and surveillance capabilities —also known as spyware— that is currently available in both Android and iOS versions.
Named
Goontact, this malware has the ability to collect from infected victims data such as phone identifiers, contacts, SMS messages, photos, and location information.
Detected by mobile security firm Lookout, the Goontact malware is currently distributed via third-party sites promoting free instant messaging apps dedicated to reaching escort services.
The target audience of these sites appears to be limited at the moment to Chinese speaking countries, Korea, and Japan,
Lookout said in a report shared today with
ZDNet.
Although the malware has yet to reach official Apple and Google app stores, there are signs that users are downloading and side-loading Goontact-infected applications.
Data collected from these apps is sent back to online servers under the Goontact operators' control. Based on the language used for the admin panels of these servers, Lookout believes the Goontact operation is most likely managed by Chinese-speaking threat actors. [...]
www.zdnet.com
