Google devices are alarmed because of Google's account breach. Often, this occur when users tries to download from a third party, illegitimate application or outside Google Play Store. It may also occur by clicking on phishing links in messages or emails.
According to ABC News, the hacking scheme named "Gooligan" is the largest Google account breach. Reportedly, this malware able to access digital "tokens" of phone that has been infected, so that they can steal user's' email, photos, and other personal information from Google accounts. It is said that, 1.3 million accounts (globally) has been hacked because of this malicious malware. 13,000 Google devices are being hacked everyday.
When a malicious malware was installed in the device, "Gooligan" will automatically receive the key device data; which will cause to gain almost complete access on user's' device.
Since last year, Check Point - largest cyber security vendor in the world - has been tracking these hackers. The hacking scheme "Gooligan" mostly affects the devices with the version of Android 4; Jellybean and Kitkat, and Android 5; Lollipop. In Asia, there are reportedly 57 percent of Google devices already infected, 19 percent in the US, 9 percent in Europe, and 15 percent in Africa.
One of the Android security worker in Google - Adrian Ludwig - shares on his blogpost, the team has been tracking the family malware "Ghost Push," in which one of its variants is "Gooligan." Though, the hackers have no intentions of stealing the personal information; their only motive is to promote the application outside Google Play Store. But this is still very alarming for most of Android users. Google advised the owner of smartphones to download only from legitimate store or directly from Google store.
According to Check Point, users can check if their device is infected by "Gooligan" malware on Gooligan Checker.
Just recently, there is also hacking issues on Chromebooks. In which, Google doubled its reward for security agents to detect the scheme from $50,000 to $100,000, previously reported by Jobs & Hire.
