Modified Android banking apps are infected by Trojan

The deadly virus, also called 'Badaccents', is a premium service banking Trojan that arrives bundled with legitimate Android applications and infects smart phones featuring this operating system. "The Trojan is created by modifying the legitimate application and then re-distributing via marketplace or other separate channels," the cyber security agency said. It also tricks the user to respond to a popup with a message to lure the user into launching the downloaded application packages saying: "Google play needs to be updated", which at times, is malicious in content.

The agency also suggested some counter-measures to stop the illegal activity of such viruses. "Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources, install applications downloaded from reputed application market only, run a full system scan on device with mobile security or anti-virus solution and check for the permissions required by an application before installing.

"Also, exercise caution while visiting trusted/untrusted sites for clicking links, install and maintain updated mobile security/anti-virus solutions, users are advised to keep an eye on data usage and unusual increase in mobile bills, avoid using unsecured, unknown Wi-Fi networks and make a practise of taking regular backup of Android device," the advisory suggested.