How to remove Massiv banking Trojan

What kind of malware is Massiv?

Massiv is a banking Trojan aimed at Android devices. It allows threat actors to take control of infected phones and carry out fraudulent transactions from the victim's bank accounts. Cybercriminals disguise Massiv as IPTV apps to trick users searching for online TV services. If detected on a device, Massiv should be removed as soon as possible.

Massiv overview

Massiv banking Trojan can steal sensitive information by showing fake screens, recording what the user types (this technique is called keylogging), and reading messages (SMS push messages). Moreover, it lets attackers fully control the infected device remotely.

Massiv uses overlay attacks to trick users into disclosing personal information. When the victim opens a targeted app, the malware displays a fake screen that looks like the real one. This fake screen asks the user to enter login details, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information, which the attackers then steal.

In attacks targeting users in Portugal, Massiv has been seen attempting to steal information from a government app. In this case, the malware asked for users' phone numbers and PINs to bypass identity checks. It also exploits Chave Móvel Digital, the country's digital ID system, to access online services and banking, allowing cybercriminals to perform fraudulent transactions.

It was also found that threat actors used infected devices to open new bank accounts in the victim's name without their knowledge. They were able to control these accounts and can use them to launder money, take loans, or withdraw cash.

Remote Control

In addition to stealing credentials with overlays and keylogging, Massiv gives attackers full remote access to the infected device. Using Android's AccessibilityService and its FuncVNC feature, the malware lets them see and control the device in real time. Communication is made over a WebSocket channel, which supports live screen streaming and UI-tree mode for interacting with the interface.

Some apps block screen recording, so Massiv uses UI-tree mode. It scans the app's elements and creates a model showing visible text, buttons, input fields, and interactive features. This allows attackers to understand the layout and automate actions on the device without relying on screenshots.

Supported Commands

Massiv supports various remote commands. Using the malware, the attackers can perform actions such as pressing "Back", "Home", or "Recents", waking the device, opening the power menu, clicking or swiping on the screen, typing text, or unlocking the phone with a pattern.

Cybercriminals can also enable a black screen overlay to hide activity, mute sounds and vibration, turn screen streaming on or off, and view or manage files on the device. Other commands allow the malware to show fake screens (overlays) for apps, the device pattern lock, or PIN entry to steal credentials.

Furthermore, Massiv can display push notifications, change clipboard contents, download and install APK files, uninstall apps, and download files or ZIP archives from the device. Additionally, it can collect device information, store backup server addresses, and clear logs.

Massiv can also force the victim to open system settings to grant permissions such as Device Admin, SMS access, file access, notification permission, battery optimization exemptions, install‑unknown‑apps permission, and Play Protect settings.

Conclusion

Massiv is an example of advanced Android banking malware that gives attackers various tools to steal information and control infected devices. Having a device infected with Massiv can result in serious outcomes, such as identity theft, financial loss, privacy breaches, device disruptions, and more.

This highlights the importance of being careful when installing apps and protecting mobile devices from threats. More examples of Android malware are Oblivion RAT, ZeroDayRAT, and Arsink.

How did Massiv infiltrate my device?

Massiv is delivered by disguising it as an IPTV app and hosted outside the official Google Play Store. Cybercriminals create fake websites or fake versions of IPTV apps to trick users into installing a malicious app. Once installed, the app's interface may just show a normal IPTV site, but the actual malware is already running in the background.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Only install software from reputable sources, like official websites or well-known app stores, and keep your operating system and applications up to date. Be wary of unexpected emails or messages, and do not open attachments or links without verifying their safety.

Run regular checks using trusted security software to detect and remove possible threats. While browsing, avoid suspicious ads, pop-ups, or links on unverified sites, and decline notification requests from dubious websites.

Fake overlay displayed by Massiv (source: threatfabric.com):

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".

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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).

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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.

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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".

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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".

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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.

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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;

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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)

My device is infected with Massiv malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

This measure will remove Massiv, but it will also erase all data, so it should be considered only as a last resort. Before doing this, it is recommended to run a complete scan using trusted security software, like Combo Cleaner.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can slow down your device, cause system crashes, encrypt or delete files, install additional harmful apps, provide remote access to cybercriminals, access your personal information, and perform other actions.

What is the purpose of Massiv banking Trojan?

It steals sensitive data by using fake screens, keylogging, and reading SMS messages, tricking users into revealing banking credentials and personal information. It gives attackers full remote control of infected devices, allowing them to manipulate apps, open accounts, perform transactions, and manage files in real time.

Massiv can also force victims to grant specific permissions, install additional apps, and hide its activity to carry out fraudulent actions undetected.

How did Massiv infiltrate my device?

Massiv infiltrates devices by pretending to be an IPTV app and is distributed outside the official Google Play Store. Attackers create fake websites or counterfeit versions of IPTV apps to trick users into installing the malicious app. While the app may appear to display a normal IPTV site, the malware runs secretly in the background.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and eliminating most known malware. Since sophisticated threats can be deeply embedded in the system, performing a full scan is recommended to make sure all malicious elements are found and removed.