A novel malicious application targeting smartphones has emerged in Europe, designated as Sturus. This Android-focused trojan was brought to light by analysts at MTI Security. The key questions surrounding it are: what precisely makes it hazardous, how can one identify the presence of this malware, and what steps should be taken if a device becomes compromised.
According to one expert, the danger posed by the new Sturus virus on Android smartphones lies in its capacity to covertly capture data displayed on the device’s screen.
“The application acquires unrestricted permissions to all the user’s private information, encompassing correspondence, login credentials, and other sensitive details. Sturus primarily spreads via the internet, and as of now, there is no infected application disguised as another service available on the official Google Play store. Consequently, it is crucial to exercise vigilance regarding the files you download, as well as monitoring the application installation procedure,” an expert stated to the online publication “Podmoskovye Segodnya.”
She elaborated that this virus, upon unzipping, demands elevated privileges and seeks permission to operate overlaid on top of other applications. This specific capability is what enables it to harvest information directly from the smartphone screen.
“However, even if you haven’t recently downloaded questionable files, it is still imperative to routinely execute your antivirus software to detect potentially malicious programs. Failure to do so could mean that spyware, which relays confidential personal data to malicious actors, remains undetected on your smartphone for an extended period.”
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