How to remove SMSControllo malware from Android device
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is SMSControllo?
SMSControllo is the name of an Android malware targeting residents of Italy. This malware can steal SMS messages (read and send them to a server controlled by the attackers) and share the infected device's screen. It is likely that threat actors use email attachments or SMS to deliver SMSControllo malware.
More about SMSControllo
Since SMSControllo can steal SMS messages from compromised Android devices, it could be used to extract various private information, for example, PIN (or other) codes sent by websites used to verify identity and any other received information.
The SMSControllo's screen sharing functionality allows the attackers to monitor what is viewed by the victims. This feature can be used to steal information like usernames, passwords, credit card details, ID card information, and other confidential details. It is worth mentioning that stolen information could be used to spread SMSControllo further.
| Name | SMSControllo malicious application |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (APK:RepMalware [Trj]), DrWeb (Android.Backdoor.848.origin), ESET-NOD32 (Android/Spy.Banker.BKT), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:RemoteAdmin.AndroidOS.Agent.f), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites, SMS messages. |
| 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. |
SMSControllo malware in general
It seems that SMSControllo is created for information stealing purposes. Having a device infected with this malware can cause problems such as financial losses, identity theft, hijacked online accounts, and more. Thus, it has to be removed from the infected devices immediately. More examples of Android malware are Fakecalls, SMSSpy, and Octo.
How did SMSControllo infiltrate my device?
Downloading malicious apps is the most common way for Android malware to infect mobile phones. Typically, such apps are distributed using questionable sources. However, even apps on Google Play can be malicious. Also, malware can infect devices via emails or SMS messages (malicious attachments or links in them).
Pretty often, malware gets downloaded from websites designed to display deceptive content, for example, pop-ups urging visitors to update or fix installed software.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Read reviews before downloading and installing applications. Do not use questionable sources for downloading them. Always use official pages and platforms as sources for downloading apps and files. Do not click links (or open files) in suspicious SMS messages or emails.
Do not click on ads appearing on shady websites or agree to receive notifications from such sites. Keep the installed apps up to date.
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 are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can be used to encrypt files, steal various sensitive information, hijack personal accounts, steal identities, distribute other malicious software, and more.
What is the purpose SMSControllo malware?
This malware is designed to exfiltrate SMS messages from the infected device and share the screen (monitor the victim's activities). It is used to steal sensitive information.
How did SMSControllo malware infiltrate my device?
Typically, Android malware infects devices via malicious apps downloaded from unreliable sources or even platforms such as the Google Play store. It is also common for malware to be delivered via SMS messages and emails. Typically, malicious apps are disguised as legitimate ones.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware. When a device is infected with high-end malware, it must be scanned using a full scan option. Otherwise, antivirus solutions will not be able to detect malware that hides deep in the system.
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