An old piece of Android malware is back and more dangerous than before

An old and dangerous piece of Android malware called FakeSpy has resurfaced in a big way, according to a new report from Cybereason. FakeSpy, which was first discovered by security researchers nearly three years ago, is a particularly nasty piece of malware designed to steal a user’s text messages, financial data, bank login information, app data, contact lists, and more.

In its original incarnation, the app targeted users in South Korea and Japan. Recently, though, the app has become far more ambitious and is now starting to target users across the globe. Some of the countries currently targeted by the malware include China, France, Germany, the UK, and the United States. The current iteration of FakeSpy is also said to be more powerful and sophisticated than the original version, which is to say Android users should be particularly vigilant about avoiding suspicious messages.

The manner by which FakeSpy spreads is quite clever and begins with an SMS message that claims to be from a local post office. The message claims that the post office tried to deliver a package but was unable to do so because a user wasn’t home. It then provides a link users can click which directs them to download an app disguised as a legitimate postal service app. Once installed on a device, the app will then send the fake text, along with the malicious link, to a user’s entire contact list.