More than 10 million Android devices around the world have
been infected with malware linked to China, according to a CNET report.
CNET, citing an analysis from cybersecurity software maker
Check Point, wrote that the "HummingBad" malware was developed by a
team linked to an otherwise legitimate Beijing-based firm called Yingmob.
The malware installs a piece of software onto infected
Android devices that gives cybercriminals administrative-level access, which is
used to generate fraudulent advertising revenue through forced app downloading
and ad clicking, CNET reported.
The majority of the malware's victims are in China and
India, each with over 1 million cases. The U.S. has roughly a quarter of a
million infected devices, according to the report.
A spokesperson for Google (GOOGL) — which owns Android —
said in a statement, "We've long been aware of this evolving family of
malware and we're constantly improving our systems that detect it. We actively
block installations of infected apps to keep users and their information
safe."
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