What is BlackRock Malware on Android? How to avoid BlackRock?

Android users who are installing apps from third-party app stores are at high risk of being infected with BlackRock malware . How to avoid dangerous BlackRock malware on Android?

BlackRock malware is another threat that Android users must be wary of. This newly discovered malware is capable of attacking a variety of different applications and stealing information during the infection process.

So, before downloading the app, make sure you know what BlackRock malware is and how to protect yourself against it.

Things to know about BlackRock malware on Android

• What is BlackRock Android Malware?
• How BlackRock malware steals your information
• How to protect your phone from being infected with BlackRock malware

What is BlackRock Android Malware?

In May 2020, security company ThreatFabric discovered a digital threat affecting Android devices, called BlackRock malware.

However, analysts quickly discovered that BlackRock was not really a new threat. It originates from leaked source code of Xeres malware (a LokiBot banking trojan).

Although based on a banking Trojan, BlackRock malware does not affect banking applications. It targets shopping, lifestyle, social, entertainment, and even dating apps. It is its ability to spread across many areas that makes it especially dangerous.

In fact, it targets 337 applications, some of which you may be using on a daily basis. Its target applications are not limited to one country. It penetrates apps in Europe, North America and Australia.

ThreatFabric has provided BlackRock's entire list of target applications in the report, including familiar names such as Gmail, Netflix, Snapchat, eBay, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook Messenger, PayPal...

Currently, BlackRock malware can no longer be found on the Google Play Store. It currently attacks applications downloaded from third-party sites, but that doesn't mean BlackRock malware won't appear on the Google Play Store. Bad hackers can still find ways to bypass Google's security protocols.

How BlackRock malware steals your information

When BlackRock malware appears on a device, users may not be aware of its existence. It uses the “overlay” strategy. This means creating a fake window that appears on a legitimate app. This overlay is combined with the application, so it is difficult for users to know whether the pop-up that appears is part of that app or not.

This window will prompt you to fill in your login information and credit card number so you can start using the app legally. This allows it to hold your information instantly.

BlackRock malware gets into your device in the first place by gaining Accessibility Services permissions. When you install an infected app, it prompts you to activate a fake Google Update. Accepting Google Update allows it to interfere with your device.

You should know that Accessibility is one of the most powerful features on your device, especially useful for people with disabilities, but it can be exploited to attack your phone. This feature can automatically perform a variety of tasks for users, including touching the screen, reading text aloud, and even creating annotations.

Give BlackRock access to Accessibility Services and it can create the "overlay" you see when you open a malware-infected app. It also provides additional capabilities to the malware, which then proceeds to use Android DPC to grant itself administrator rights.

In other words, it not only steals sensitive information when you enter the “overlay” but can do much more than that. Not only does it interfere with SMS messages, hide notifications, and lock the screen, BlackRock also records keystrokes.

With the above unpredictable dangers, you definitely don't want BlackRock malware on your device, right?

How to protect your phone from being infected with BlackRock malware

Installing an antivirus app has no effect on BlackRock malware because as soon as you open an Android cleaner or antivirus like Avast, Kaspersky, McAfee, BitDefender or Superb Cleaner, BlackRock will immediately navigate you to the Home screen. to prevent you from deleting it.

So, if you download an app from a third-party store and think an antivirus will protect you from all threats, think again. Instead, apply the following BlackRock malware prevention solutions:

• Check application access permissions, especially Accessibility Services, to remove permissions for unnecessary apps.
• Only download apps from the Google Play Store.

Above are the things you need to know and how to effectively prevent BlackRock malware on Android . Hope the article is useful to you.