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A previously discovered threat for Android which was dealt with two years has once again reared its ugly head – the malware, then known as ‘NotCompatible’ has returned under the NotCompatible.c – the main difference between the original and version c is that those employing it are using new tactics that seem to be taking the mobile virus world by storm.
NotCompatible.c uses networking features such as peer-to-peer information transfer and a host of other clever software tricks to gain access to big networks, as well as private ones, within companies – using compromised Android devices.
Any network the device connects to is a potential target – the intrusion is unblockable by networking security as well, due to the P2P nature of the virus.
Another reason the virus is so advanced for a piece of mobile malware is the level of encryption on traffic between the infected phone and the target network that is sent by the malware – it’s encryption is of a high enough level that the software on the target network can’t differentiate between the normal jumble of traffic it gets and the malware’s. Again, this covers NotCompatible.c’s tracks nicely.
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The distribution method of NotCompatible.c is decidedly old however, and this is where the virus is weakest – it doesn’t manipulate any security loopholes to get on your phone, it simply requires the user to click a bogus link from their smartphone’s browser – the same old tried and tested ‘phishing’ tactic we’ve seen on PC malware for years.
This of course means websites and e-mail companies may eb able to eventually neutralize the virus by identifying the bogus links and their destinations – but, along with recent iOS viruses, NotCompatible.c’s infection method and advanced features are telling of a virus trend that’s starting to take mobile very seriously.
You can still stay safe by not clicking strange links from e-mails, even when on your mobile – that’s just common sense, but the people at lookout.com, who tracked down NotCompatible.c are worried that this may just be the beginning and the virus will establish a trend as malware makers try to outdo each other on mobile.
“NotCompatible.C has set a new bar for mobile malware sophistication and operational complexity. This malware is a prime example of how mobile malware complexity is advancing and is borrowing technical tactics already seen in PC malware.”
We will continue to urge users on any e-mail or internet platform to take care when clicking links – all it takes it one misguided click and you might have yourself a virus. Stay safe, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Via: Techspot (http://www.techspot.com/news/58916-sophisticated-variant-notcompatible-android-malware-uncovered.html)
Source: Lookout (http://blog.lookout.com/blog/2014/11/19/notcompatible/) ◄ full post