Hidden Downloaders Found Pre-installed Apps on Several Low-cost Android Phone Models

By Elita Kerr

Dec 16, 2016 04:00 AM EST

Security researchers said they've found dozens of low-cost Android phone models have pre-installed with apps that surreptitiously download and install adware and other unwanted programs.

According to a blog post published Monday by antivirus provider Doctor Web, At least 26 low cost phone models happened to have pre-installed with a downloader dubbed Android.DownLoader.473.origin. Doctor Web researchers detailed the app as a trojan downloader that can download not only mild applications but also malign and unwanted ones. One of the found app, is H5GameCenter, displays ads on top of running applications. Infected users report that when they uninstall the app, Android.DownLoader.473.origin quickly downloads and installs it again. the image cannot be removed as well.

Doctor Web detected another preinstalled downloader, known as Android.Sprovider.7 and comes with encrypted inside another app. It has the ability to automatically download and install Android application files when users click on a confirmation button. On the top of that, it's automatically make phone calls to certain numbers, and show ads on top of apps.

"It is known that cybercriminals generate their income by increasing application download statistics and by distributing advertising software," the security researchers wrote. "Therefore, Android.DownLoader.473.origin and Android.Sprovider.7 were incorporated into Android firmware because dishonest outsources who took part in creation of Android system images decided to make money on users."

The list of affected models:

MegaFon Login 4 LTE
Irbis TZ85
Irbis TX97
Irbis TZ43
Bravis NB85
Bravis NB105
SUPRA M72KG
SUPRA M729G
SUPRA V2N10
Pixus Touch 7.85 3G
Itell K3300
General Satellite GS700
Digma Plane 9.7 3G
Nomi C07000
Prestigio MultiPad Wize 3021 3G
Prestigio MultiPad PMT5001 3G
Optima 10.1 3G TT1040MG
Marshal ME-711
7 MID
Explay Imperium 8
Perfeo 9032_3G
Ritmix RMD-1121
Oysters T72HM 3G
Irbis tz70
Irbis tz56
Jeka JK103
Lenovo A319
Lenovo A6000

On Monday, the downloaders reported that probably don't pose as big a threat as the powerful backdoors that were recently found pre-installed on more than 3 million Android handsets. Again, their ability to covertly install any app chosen by their unaccountable operators, combined with their embrace of adware, make the phones worth avoiding.