Cyber-security firm Trend Micro sensed applications with “Xavier” malware in Google Play Store

Trend Micro, a global cyber-security firm recently announced that it has sensed around 800 applications in Google Play Store rooted with a Trojan Android malware “Xavier” that so far has been downloaded millions of times. This malware is quite popular for all bad reasons as it steals and leaks a user’s information silently. 

“These applications range from utility apps such as photo manipulators to wallpaper and ringtone changers. We also provide multi-layered mobile security solutions to protect users from this threat,” Trend Micro said in a statement.

Based on information from its “Mobile App Reputation Service”, the team founded that it is not so easy to detect Xavier’s burglary and leaking capabilities because of a self-protect apparatus through the use of different techniques such as cord encryption, internet data encryption and emulator detection. Additionally, it also has the ability to download and carry out additional hateful codes from a distant server, which might be an even more hazardous aspect of the malware.

“The easiest way to avoid a cunning malware like ‘Xavier’ is to not download and install applications from an unknown source even if they are from legitimate app stores like Google Play Store,” said Nilesh Jain, Country Manager (India and Saarc), Trend Micro.

The website also contains the name of the different countries with the maximum number of download efforts that has been made. Most of the downloads come from countries in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia, with fewer downloads from the United States and Europe.