How to remove Escobar malware frrom Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is Escobar?
Our malware researchers have found Escobar while inspecting hacker forums. It is a banking Trojan targeting Android users. We learned that at the moment, its developer is offering to purchase a monthly subscription of the Beta version for $3000.
More about Escobar malware
After reading the description of the Escobar banking Trojan in the hacker forum, it was found that this malware can be used to remotely control screen (click, hold, swipe and scroll it), access, receive, hide and SMS messages, obtain call logs and contacts list, passwords saved in the Google Authenticator. It can download media, record audio and take photos, disable Google Play Protect.
Furthermore, Escobar banking malware can uninstall installed applications (and delete itself), record keystrokes entered in applications (excluding web browsers), create new pages on existing websites (inject URLs) to redirect victims to other sites, display pop-ups on targeted banking apps asking to provide login credentials.
| Name | Escobar banking Trojan |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (APK:RepMalware [Trj]), DrWeb (Android.BankBot.965.origin), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Android/Spy.Banker.AZO), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.AndroidOS.Boogr.gsh), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Hijacked personal accounts, monetary loss, unexpected SMS messages, removed apps, redirects to shady websites |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites. |
| Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, huge data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity. |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Escobar malware in general
Escobar is a powerful banking Trojan that can be used to steal sensitive information (including passwords, usernames, and other login credentials), download files from the device, record anything that a victim has typed while using installed apps, etc.
Having a device infected with Escobar can cause monetary loss, identity theft, loss of various personal accounts, and other serious issues. It must be removed from the infected device immediately. More Android malware examples are Xenomorph, Wroba, Medusa, FaceStealer.
How did Escobar infiltrate my device?
Cybercriminals distribute malware using text messages containing links leading to compromised/malicious pages, drive-by downloads, malicious emails, fake updates, etc. Also, they can misuse platforms such as Google Play to trick users into infecting their devices. In such cases, they upload malicious apps disguised as legitimate ones.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Download applications from official and verified sources. Read reviews before downloading apps. Choose apps that have a high rating and reviews count. Do not trust suspicious emails and text messages (links or files in them). Update apps using tools or functions provided by their official developers. Avoid visiting shady websites and downloading files from them and clicking dubious advertisements.
Quick menu:
- Introduction
- How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
- How to reset the Chrome web browser?
- How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
- How to reset the Firefox web browser?
- How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
- How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
- How to check the battery usage of various applications?
- How to check the data usage of various applications?
- How to install the latest software updates?
- How to reset the system to its default state?
- How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?
Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".
Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Notifications" option and tap it.
Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications. However, once you visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you for the permission).
Reset the Chrome web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".
Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:
Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".
In the opened pop-up opt-in the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".
Reset the Firefox web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".
Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":
The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent users you from doing so when the device is running "normally").
Push the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you'll be able run it by restarting the device.
Check the battery usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.
Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use as low energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may indicate that the application is malicious.
Check the data usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. This means that huge data usage may indicate presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice when it comes to device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cyber criminals. An outdated system is way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's software is up-to-date.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.
Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and/or install it automatically.
Reset the system to its default state:
Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep in mind that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal state.
You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;
Disable applications that have administrator privileges:
If a malicious application gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".
Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of Escobar malware?
Escobar is can remotely control the infected Android device, steal passwords, log keystrokes, download media, uninstall apps, receive/send/hide SMS messages, record audio, take photos, perform URL injection, display pop-ups on targeted banking apps asking to provide credentials and more.
How did a malware infiltrate my Android device?
It is unknown how the attackers deliver Esobar. Usually, mobile malware is distributed using text messages, emails, shady websites. Also, malware can be uploaded to Google Play Store platforms by disguising it as legitimate software.
Will Combo Cleaner protect computer from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware infections. It is recommended to scan devices using the full system scan feature. Otherwise, antivirus software may not detect high-end/sophisticated malware designed to hide deep in the system.
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