New android malware ‘FlixOnline’ capable of tracking WhatsApp messages, reveals report

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Android malware under the disguise of legit mobile applications can cause unfathomable damage to one’s privacy. In a recent example, FlixOnline – a malevolent app available on Google Play Store was detected by Check Point Research, a cyber-intelligence website.

Disguised as an app to watch Netflix videos, it in fact was designed to monitor the user’s WhatsApp notifications and send automatic replies to received messages. This is possible with a remote command and control (C&C) server.

The automatic messages sent through this app are designed to lure innocent users with fraud offers.

The malware lures users with the message “2 Months of Netflix Premium Free at no cost For REASON OF QUARANTINE (CORONA VIRUS)* Get 2 Months of Netflix Premium Free anywhere in the world for 60 days. Get it now HERE”

This software works so diligently that anything unusual in your mobile phone might easily go unnoticed. Once you download the app, it requests permissions for services like ‘Overlay’, ‘Battery Optimisation Ignore’ and ‘Notification’. This creates multiple windows on top of other apps which often resemble a fake login that nudges users to enter personal credentials.

The notification access allows the app to ‘dismiss’ and ‘reply’ to messages without user’s knowledge. The battery optimisation permission allows the app to keep running in the background even after the user turns off the app and phone is kept idle for hours.

Hence if you use apps like FlixOnline which claim to give you unprecedented and free access to regularised content, beware of the malicious intentions it might hold. Immediately uninstall such apps from your phone and reset your phone after backing up all personal data.

A phone reset mostly eliminates all kinds of malware from your system.