Exodus ios Malware Now Confirmed By Experts And iPhone Users Panic Over The New Data Breach

Exodus IOS Malware

One of the more dangerous Malware apps to watch out for is Exodus which has recently been changed to attack IOS systems. Usually, those that get adapted to run in isolation of the apple store, such as police or government issue, and some that get tailored for specific businesses.

Known as spyware, it allows the attacker to access your camera; microphone access your call logs and instant messages, as well as all the other phone functions. The scariest thing about this app is your phone does not even need to be on for the user to have control over the phone.

Why should we be vigilant for the Exodus IOS Malware?

Imagine you’re at home changing after a hard day at work, you put your phone on your bedside cabinet as you turn and someone somewhere is watching you, or you send a personal private message to a colleague or friend or even a family member, and someone can read what you have said, which is scary stuff indeed.

It is believed to be part of a well-funded project by a company from Italy, and as such makes it the second business to be caught red-handed creating spyware that is distributed through google play stores and via phishing websites.

The Italian based company Connexxa S.R.L who developed the app has infected 25 known apps distributed through the google play store. The apps have now got removed since the outbreak.

Connexxa is a giant in the app tech industry primarily creating spyware apps for the Italian intelligence authorities.

This spyware is capable of hacking Android devices, that give attackers full access to any infected devices.

A list of what Exodus spyware can access and control are as follows:

• Collecting necessary identifying information, such as the IMEI and phone number.
• Deploying multiple binary packages t5aht implement a suite of surveillance functionalities.
• Also, Exodus got designed in such a way for IOS that even when the screen is off, it continues to run.
• The Android variant got suspected of infecting thousands of devices globally primarily those used by government bodies. It is unsure why this particular spyware got created, but it can get argued that it was funded covertly to spy on other governments or intelligence bodies although this was never proven.

Skygofree

Another Italian firm created a similar app called (skygofree) which enabled users to take control of target devices, ever had someone ask why you have sent them some spam mail? It is likely this app, or even Exodus had infected one of your methods.

So far the IOS is not so sophisticated so that it could be a newer Spyware in early development stages – now it can steal your: 

• Family/Friends/work contacts
• Personal videos
• Sound Recordings
• Your device location
• GPS data collection.

However, in comparison to the Android Variant, it didn’t cause the same amount of harm for things like an intrusion.

There is no denying of the similarities between the two; seeing as the iOS operates on the same server, the iOS variant has also given stolen data to the central exfiltration server.

It was cybersecurity experts from Lookout that discovered the government spyware which is a three-stage malware that ends in complete control for digital surveillance over an infected device.

Who are Connexxa and what else have they developed? A brief overview tells us that they are a technology giant, “S.R.L. of Connexxa develops software and technological solutions in networking and security, web and media, and healthcare fields. It offers smart IP video surveillance solutions ranging from human face recognition to plate reading. From the interpretation of human behavior to motion tracking to a range of markets from industry to public entities; solutions for network management and security; solutions for multichannel content management systems; solutions for company resources’ optimization; Web and media communication solutions for business to business and business to consumer companies; and mobile applications for public administration, industry, and healthcare markets.”

They do work on behalf of other private companies and individual as well as government bodies and agencies and are a leader in their field.

Also, we may ask who are Lookout to cybersecurity. The simple answer is they are a U.S based security company that specializes mostly in mobile security here is what they say about themselves on their website.

You could say as we move forward into a more connected mobile world, we face new risks from many malware and spyware viruses, both created by independent hackers or via government-backed projects such as the Exodus malware. We should be much more careful and mindful about the sites we use, and what we download even if the place is a trusted site, after all, we never know who may be watching us and for what reason.

The idea others can so efficiently underwrite our privacy and security is a scary one and one we should all be careful.

The ten biggest Malware threats of 2019 to watch out for are:

Emotet

It’s modular that can steal your details by the use of trojans, which can accidentally get downloaded or drop into your ios smartphone/computer. You need to avoid:

• Malicious URL links.
• You are downloading links or attachments, e.g. macro-enabled word documents or PDF.
• Email Content through spreader modules.

Zeus

Through the use of logging keystrokes, Zeus has been known to steal bank details by accessing customers information. This Trojan has also given a code for hackers to use similar programs like this, to hack into money and bank accounts.

WannaCry

This deadly crypto worm aims to spread an SMB protocol, which not only works as ransomware but is also able to stop encryption that hides your files typically. 

Kovter

It’s another dangerous malware file that can do the following:

• Use of click fraud.
• It is capable of hiding from security programs.
• It also has advanced back door access, which can use hooks to help with APIs for perseverance.

Dridex

It’s one to watch out for if you use Microsoft office, as this Malware can use malicious attachments/embedded links. It also got distributed via many email spam campaigns.

NanoCore

This Malware program got spread through email spam, which posed as corrupt Excel XLS spreadsheet – it could then apply commands like:

• Execute and download files without the victim knowing.
• Visit any website.
• Add you to any registry keys for perseverance.

Gh0st

Transported by other malware programs, this hacker code allows an attacker to fully control the infected device – by compromising the back door entry.

Mirai

Mirai has been responsible for large-scale DDoS attacks, and it can also allow an intruder to access your device. It’s known as a botnet (loT) Internet of Things.

Pushdo

It operates as a distributor of malware and spam. One of Pushdo’s campaigns was known as the Cutwail Spam Bot, which used encrypted communication channels to send details to zombie hosts.

IcedID

Malware used to target finance providers, payroll sites, and banks. Using a similar distributing technique used by Emotet – it can follow the victim’s online habits by using local proxies for traffic funnelling. It also employs redirection attacks and web injection, which travels between a network of infected terminal servers.

Ways you can protect yourself from threats like the Exodus IOS Malware.

Although there’s no 100% guarantee you can protect yourself from even the most advanced threats like the Exodus IOS Malware; there are ways to make your chances of getting infected minimal – and at least the peace of mind that you get at least protected from the more common spyware blunders that are around these days.

Anything else outside of that is just very unlucky.

How to protect the IOS device

Set your lock screen code

It’s surprising how the simplest of things are still overlooked by the majority, despite even when getting all the prompts from Apple when setting up your new iPhone.

Popular opinion from the tech wizards out there says that a password/PIN combination is the most effective method for keeping out the average snooper.

The most easily hacked security is the screen lock patterns, where they have got numerously broken into in the past.

Apply the screen lock feature for iPhone

The recommended setting is to automatically apply your screen lock after 30 seconds to no longer than a minute. It makes sense, especially if you are in the habit of leaving your phone on places like the table – where anyone can grab your device within seconds.

Be cautious of Jailbreaking or Rooting.

It’s not to say you should avoid it altogether; however, before adventuring down that line, you should research the topic thoroughly and make sure you know how you are going to do it. The benefits of jailbreaking iPhones or Android phones is giving users more flexibility and options in the device usage – but unfortunately, it does also come at the cost of a lot more security risks too.

Generally, iPhones and Androids that haven’t got rooted or jailbroken are a lot safer, because of the wall of various security protocols that are shielding the device. The contracts in place staying on grid protects the individual’s information through the critical parts of the device’s OS.

Use a Security or an Antivirus Security/Malware Protection Software.

Remember your smartphone is a handheld PC, especially with its link to the internet. So, it’s very logical that the same types of attacks that occur on computers can also have as much chance as taking place on your phone – even with our bank logins if you think of how many of us use the banking apps to make secure money transfers.

Individuals that are tech savvy will always tell you to update the computer’s antivirus security consistently, but overlooking that their smartphone has no antivirus protection whatsoever. So it makes a lot of sense to get security smart with all of your devices, especially if they connect online.

Over 90% of smartphones get shipped with no antivirus protection.

With no trial version offered by any of the apps either, it’s also widespread for the majority of iOS phone users to not give a thought to the common malware risks that can occur!  So there seems to be no incentive to tell consumers that they should be using some form of security software like antivirus.

Most of the protections for your device are free to download too; you need to check what’s available in your app store.

Recommended smartphone antivirus protection:

• Avast
• Bitdefender
• AVG free

Another benefit of using antivirus for your iOS/Android phone:

You get to protect your computer as well because you are not allowing the virus to transmit via the USB, which is also another common occurrence (surprisingly).

Stay on top of iPhone/Android updates:

The updates get sent from the app developers and the smartphone manufacturers – these software updates are essential; not just for the smoother performance of your device, but also the security level gets upgraded on the device too.

As long as the update comes from a verified source, then accept them promptly, and this means for the app updates and the phone operating system (OS).

The Bottom Line

We’ve touched on what you can do to at least maximize the security wall on your iPhone/Android device. Like we stated near the start of the article, we can only do what we can to avoid all the common pitfalls, but for the more advanced tech security against things like the Exodus ios malware, we can never have a 100% guarantee in anything – which applies to the rest of life as well.

Keyword:

Exodus ios malware

LSI:

iPhone Users, New Data Breach, Why should we be vigilant for the Exodus IOS Malware?, biggest Malware threats of 2019, protect IOS device, iPhone, setting up your new iPhone, screen lock feature for iPhone, Jailbreaking, Rooting, antivirus protection

Sources:

Cisecurity.org, https://acisni.com/protect-cell-phone-against-spy-software/