How to remove APT32 Android malware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of malware is APT32?
It is the name of a malicious application that provides access to Android devices and spies on victims. APT32 establishes the "MainService" service, connects to a command-and-control (C2) server, and starts its malicious activities (it receives commands via a C2 server). It is known that this malicious app does not install unless Play Protect is disabled.
APT32 in detail
This Android malware can collect the list of installed applications, device name, battery status, contacts (names and numbers), access the camera, and take photos with it. It also can send SMS messages, collect call logs and SMS logs, and text in the SMS messages. It writes gathered data to a file, and uploads it (sends it to threat actors).
Additionally, this malicious application uses the established service ("MainService") to resume malicious activity every time the infected device butts up or is restarted. It does not require to be launched to perform its activity. This capability provides it with some persistence.
| Name | APT32 spyware |
| Threat Type | Android malware, malicious application, unwanted application. |
| Detection Names | Avast-Mobile (APK:RepMalware [Trj]), BitDefenderFalx (Android.Riskware.SpyAgent.CC), ESET-NOD32 (Android/Spy.Agent.CEM), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.Agent.abo), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | The device is running slow, system settings are modified without user's permission, questionable applications appear, data and battery usage is increased significantly, unauthorized access to camera and SMS messages. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, deceptive applications, scam websites. |
| Potential Damage | Stolen personal information (private messages), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity, SMS messages used in malspam and other campaigns. |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
More about the APT32 malware
APT32 malware could be used to blackmail victims with the captured photos, send phishing messages to all contacts, use obtained contacts in various spam and other campaigns, send messages asking to provide personal information and other purposes. More Android malware examples are SMSFactory, Exobot, and BianLian.
How did APT32 infiltrate my device?
Cybercriminals often upload trojanized/fake applications (malware droppers) to Google Play or other platforms hoping that users will download and install them. In other cases, they use shady websites, third-party platforms, and similar channels to distribute their malware.
Sometimes, threat actors send text messages with links to websites hosting malicious apps. In all cases, their goal is to trick unsuspecting users into downloading and installing malicious applications (or apps designed to drop malware) by themselves.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Use official pages and platforms to download applications. Read reviews before downloading apps. Do not click on shady advertisements or links in suspicious emails or text messages. Never use third-party platforms, shady pages, and other questionable sources to download apps (or files).
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?
Identity theft, monetary loss, data encryption, additional infections, and invaded privacy. Different malicious applications have different capabilities.
What is the purpose of APT32 malware?
The purpose of this malicious application is to spy on victims. It can access the camera and take pictures with it, get device information, send SMS messages, collect SMS and call logs, obtain contacts (numbers and names), and collect the list of installed applications.
How did malware infiltrate my device?
Most threat actors upload malware droppers (fake apps that inject malware) to the Google Play platform. In other cases, they use third-party platforms, SMS messages, emails, deceptive ads, and similar methods to trick users into downloading and installing malicious apps.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
This application can detect (and remove) almost all known malware. When a device is infected with high-end malware, it must be scanned using a full scan. Otherwise, high-end malware will remain undetected (malware of this kind usually hides deep in the system).
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