A new type of Android malware has been uncovered in more than 20,000 apps and it’s impossible to remove. The malware masquerades as popular apps, such as Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, and installs something known as “troganized adware” onto phones. Lookout Security, the mobile security firm who discovered the malware, says users can only get rid of it by replacing their devices entirely. The malware works by repackaging legitimate apps from the Google Play store with adware, and then released it to a third-party store. The problem is that the repackaged apps remain fully functional, and so the malware is difficult to detect. The app will then serve ads, which generates money for the hacker. Although their main function is to display ads, their system-level status also lets them gain access to key security details built into Android. This can let a hacker gain access to sensitive data about the user. Lookout Security said that users who install apps from Google Play, Android’s official app store, are not affected.
