Researchers are warning of a new breed of Android malware, dubbed “Agent Smith,” that they claim has infected 25 million handsets in order to replace legitimate apps with doppelgangers that display rogue ads. The malware is tied to a China-based firm, according to Check Point researchers, and is targeting users in India, Pakistan and other parts of Asia.
According to research released Wednesday, the malware targets phones that have not been patched for a host of old vulnerabilities such as Janus, an Android flaw that dates back to 2017. Victims are enticed to download dropper program camouflaged as either an image editor, porn-related app or game from a third-party app store.
