Android Malware Surge Hits Finland: Urgent Warning for UK Users 

09.05.24

Threat Intelligence Alerts

Finnish authorities have exposed a sophisticated Android malware campaign designed to steal banking credentials and drain victims’ accounts. While the attacks are currently concentrated in Finland, the techniques used could easily spread to other countries, including the UK. 

This campaign primarily employs “smishing” tactics – fraudulent SMS messages that attempt to trick users into taking an unsafe action. The messages often impersonate banks, financial institutions, or other recognised entities, creating a sense of urgency with claims of unusual account activity or debt collection issues. These messages urge the victim to call a fake customer service number. 

During the fraudulent call, the attackers further manipulate the victim into downloading a malicious app disguised as McAfee antivirus software. Once installed, this malware grants cyber criminals far-reaching access to the victim’s device. 

Security experts suspect the malware involved may be a new variant of the Vultur banking trojan. Vultur is known for its ability to: 

The best defence against this type of attack is vigilance and awareness. Here’s what you can do: 

If you suspect your device might be infected, take these immediate steps: 

Although this specific campaign is targeting Finland, the tactics highlight the ongoing dangers of mobile malware which we’ve alerted on before in recent articles. By exercising caution and following the advice outlined above, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these attacks.