Poweroffhijack, a new virus for Android

AVG discovered a new virus for Android, which can take control of the infected device, even when the user believes it is stopped. Software is called PowerOffHijack and when running can send SMS-uri, can initiate calls and capture pictures with the camera. I think the most interesting thing about this virus is the way it operates, which is extremely simple and ingenious.

From the moment it was infected, the mobile device no longer has access to the classic functions on The Power button. When you press the button long, the classic menu on Android appears, and in visual terms, the stop process looks the same as the standard one. However, everything is just an illusion, created by the Poweroffhijack virus. From the currently available information shows that it acts only when mobile phone It is in this false stop state.

Virusul PowerOffHijack It was discovered by AVG on devices in China, over 10,000 devices being already affected. It exclusively affects smartphones on which the most recent version of Android runs, 5.0 Lollipop. Let's hope that if the virus has been discovered, Google To repair the vulnerability in the future versions of the operating system, if it is a problem in its software.

Considering that Poweroffhijack requires root, are minimal chances that it is installed by browsing the Internet or downloading an application from Google Play Store. As usual, Google advises us to install only applications in its official store, which are checked before publishing. AVG states that its antivirus software for Android can quickly detect the Poweroffhijack virus and eliminate it automatically, but to be sure you are protected suggests removing the battery of the phone.