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Android Droppers Now Deliver SMS Stealers and Spyware

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📰 1 unique sources, 1 articles

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Android dropper apps, previously used to deliver banking trojans, are now distributing simpler malware such as SMS stealers and spyware. This shift is driven by Google's security measures, which have made it harder to distribute more complex malware. Droppers are designed to evade Google Play Protect and its Pilot Program, which block potentially suspicious apps. These droppers often masquerade as government or banking apps in India and other parts of Asia. The droppers avoid triggering security checks by initially requesting low-risk permissions and only fetching the actual payload after user interaction. This allows them to bypass initial scans and deliver the malicious payload once installed. Google has stated that it has not found any apps using these techniques distributed via the Play Store and that it is constantly enhancing its protections.

Timeline

  1. 01.09.2025 20:28 📰 1 articles

    Android droppers now deliver SMS stealers and spyware

    Android droppers, previously used to deliver banking trojans, are now distributing simpler malware such as SMS stealers and spyware. This shift is driven by Google's security measures, which have made it harder to distribute more complex malware. Droppers are designed to evade these measures by initially requesting low-risk permissions and only fetching the actual payload after user interaction. This allows them to bypass initial scans and deliver the malicious payload once installed. Google has stated that it has not found any apps using these techniques distributed via the Play Store and that it is constantly enhancing its protections.

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