Avast found pre-installed Cosiloon malware in devices from manufacturers like ZTE, Archos and myPhone

Avast, a well-known security agency, issued a report that its security threats lab found that a number of Android phones from ZTE, Archos, MyPhone and other vendors had pre-installed malicious adware. The malware is named Cosiloon and it overlays an advertisement on top of a web page when a user uses the browser to access the Internet.

Avast claimed that this malicious software has been quietly in existence for at least three years, and pre-installed on the firmware level of the mobile phone, it is almost impossible for the average user to completely remove it.

Avast observed that since these phones have not been certified by Google, it has caused thousands of users to move in. In particular, in recent months, it has been found that about 18,000 mobile phones have this malware, and they are spread over more than 100 countries and regions. The disaster areas include Russia, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Avast has reported this to Google, who is taking steps to remove malicious application variants on some devices through internal technology. However, due to the close integration of malware and mobile phone firmware, Google did not have a good idea. They could only contact the firmware developer and urge them to solve the problem.

Source, Image: Avast