Is Android Updating a Remote Access Trojan?

Priya BhadaurjaDecember 20, 2022

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Your smartphone is no longer just a place to keep your contacts and some music. Most of the Android smartphone users have sensitive information and private photos stored on their devices.

Although you might consider using a strong password, only connecting to a secure Wi-Fi network, and avoiding suspicious files, you can still fall victim to a Remote Access Trojan attack.

What is a Remote Access Trojan and how does it attack?

A Remote Access Trojan, or RAT, is a type of malware that masquerades as a file that is harmless or useful to the user; it can be anything from photos to files to apps.

But unlike other types of malware, RAT does not steal or destroy data and files that it was previously programmed to do. Instead, it gives the cyber criminals behind it full access to your device and the possibility of remote control.

Users are often tricked by some form of social engineering into downloading and applying Trojans to their systems. Once activated, Trojans allow cybercriminals to spy on you, steal your sensitive data, and infiltrate your system. These actions may include:

delete data
data lock
edit data
data copy
Disrupt the performance of systems or networks.

If the attacker is careful enough, the infection on your device may not be noticed until it is too late. An attacker can have unlimited access to all your files and applications and all the data stored in them, such as passwords and personal information.

Unfortunately, RAT attacks have grown significantly since their first appearance in the XNUMXs. Today, avoiding a RAT attack is much more difficult than simply refraining from downloading untrustworthy files and applications. Apparently, one way that RAT can enter your Android device is through a system update notification.

Does an Android update hide RAT?

One of the best ways to keep your device safe is to update your Android system regularly. Security bugs are often fixed in newer systems, and they are generally more secure than their predecessors.

But what can you do to make sure a real system update is pending?

RAT’s new Android system update links files from suspicious websites or scam emails. It can also come from unsafe apps that you may have installed as an APK file and not from the Google Play Store.

The RAT malware will send you a real, apparently fake Google notification to let you know that there is a new update. In some cases, “check for updates” also seems to be more legitimate.

To ensure that the system update is legitimate and not the new RAT malware, do not update via notifications. Instead, go directly to your phone’s settings and visit the official update tool on your phone to check for available updates.

If there are no updates available, the notification could be a Remote Access Trojan. Even if there is an update, install it only through the Settings app.

How to Get Rid of Remote Access Trojan Attacks on Android

Here’s how to get rid of a Remote Access Trojan on your Android device. While you should assume that a portion of your phone’s data and files has been compromised, you should limit the damage.

Manually disconnect the Internet on your phone to cut off the attacker’s remote access. You should also change all passwords and financial information that were on your phone using a separate, clean device.

To remove RAT from your phone, you need to remove it. If you’ve recently downloaded or installed suspicious files or apps, start by removing them and empty your device’s memory of any data left behind. To be safe, delete all your browsing data and uninstall and reinstall any suspicious browsers or apps.

Ideally, this should be enough to clean your device. However, if you don’t know or aren’t sure where the malware is, you may need to wipe everything on your phone via a factory reset.

Android Malicious Software: Get Help

Removing malware from your phone can be easier said than done, especially if you’re not a techie. If you suspect that you have installed RAT on your device, feel free to seek help from your local phone technician or online resources and tutorials. Left untreated, RAT viruses can destroy your phone and your life.