28 Android Phones, Including Lenovos, Have Factory Malware

Researchers at Russian antivirus maker Medico Web have determined that at to the lowest degree 28 Android devices, including 2 Lenovo models, ship from the factory with preinstalled malware that downloads for malware, adware and other suspicious programs without the user'southward permission.

Credit: Borysevych.com/Shutterstock — (Paradigm credit: Borysevych.com/Shutterstock)

The malware, Android.DownLoader.473.origin, was found embedded in the firmware on 26 off-brand phones, although the true number of afflicted devices may be even larger. The malware downloads and installs more apps when the device uses Wi-Fi to connect to the net. One of the secondary apps, called H5GameCenter, runs ads on superlative of applications. To brand information technology even more annoying, the downloader will reinstall an app if yous uninstall it.

A second adware Trojan, Android.Sprovider.7, was establish to infect Lenovo'south low-end A319 and midrange A6000. This downloader also installs unwanted programs, and displays ads over other apps. It as well creates a shortcut on the abode-screen status bar and can make calls to telephone numbers.

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Per Doctor Web, the known infected models are:

MegaFon Login 4 LTE
Irbis TZ85
Irbis TX97
Irbis TZ43
Bravis NB85
Bravis NB105
SUPRA M72KG
SUPRA M729G
SUPRA V2N10
Pixus Touch 7.85 3G
Itell K3300
General Satellite GS700
Digma Aeroplane 9.7 3G
Nomi C07000
Prestigio MultiPad Wize 3021 3G
Prestigio MultiPad PMT5001 3G
Optima ten.ane 3G TT1040MG
Marshal ME-711
7 MID
Explay Imperium 8
Perfeo 9032_3G
Ritmix RMD-1121
Oysters T72HM 3G
Irbis tz70
Irbis tz56
Jeka JK103

"[C]ybercriminals generate their income by increasing application download statistics and by distributing advertising software," the Doctor Web researchers wrote. "Therefore, Android.DownLoader.473.origin and Android.Sprovider.7 were incorporated into Android firmware because dishonest outsourcers who took office in cosmos of Android organisation images decided to make money on users."

The researchers also wrote that manufacturers have been notified.

It'south notable that Lenovo, a big-name manufacturer, is afffected. But we've seen other known brands, such as Xiaomi, release phones with malware earlier. And as we've recommended before, stop buying cheap Chinese handsets -- information technology's not uncommon to find malware on them right out of the box.

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Andrew Eastward. Freedman is an editor at Tom's Hardware focusing on laptops, desktops and gaming also as keeping upward with the latest news. He holds a M.S. in Journalism (Digital Media) from Columbia University. A lover of all things gaming and tech, his previous piece of work has shown up in Kotaku, PCMag, Complex, Tom's Guide and Laptop Mag amid others.