New Android Malware Targets 12 Indian Banking Apps and Stealing Login Information: Quick Heal

Quick Heal Security Labs recently detected an Android Trojan Banking which explicitly targets banking apps. As per the report, this new Android malware targets 232 banking apps across the world, and the list includes 12 Indian banking apps from top-tier banks. The malware is known as Android.banker.A2f8a (Previously detected as Android.banker.A9480) as per Quick Heal.

“Like most other Android banking malware, even this one is designed for stealing login credentials, hijacking SMSs, uploading contact lists and SMSs on a malicious server, displaying an overlay screen (to capture details) on top of legitimate apps and carrying out other such malicious activities,” said Quick Heal in the report.


The malware Android.banker.A2f8a is being distributed through a fake Flash Player app on third-party stores. Once if the user installs the malicious app, it will keep on asking the user to activate admin rights. “And even if the user denies the request or kills the process, the app will keep throwing continuous pop-ups until the user activates the admin privilege. Once this is done, the malicious app hides its icon soon after the user taps on it,” the report added.


Once if the user grants admin rights to the application, the application carries out malicious tasks in the background. If it founds out any of the banking application out of the 232 apps installed on the smartphone, it will throw a fake login page by which it steals the login information.
Furthermore, the malicious application has the ability to intercept all incoming and outgoing SMSs from the infected device with which the attackers bypass the two-factor verification. And it also has the ability to transfer all the SMSs for your inbox to the service.

Image: Quick Heal

That’s not all; it has a few more functionalities. The malware can also set the device’s ringer volume to silent in order to suppress SMS notifications. Here’s the list of targeted banks in India:

• Axis Mobile
• HDFC Bank MobileBanking
• SBI Anywhere Personal
• HDFC Bank MobileBanking LITE
• iMobile by ICICI Bank
• IDBI Bank GO Mobile+
• Abhay by IDBI Bank Ltd
• IDBI Bank GO Mobile
• IDBI Bank mPassbook
• Baroda mPassbook
• Union Bank Mobile Banking
• Union Bank Commercial Clients

To stay away from this malicious attack, you should not install any flash player application, especially the ones with Adobe name. The flash player size is reportedly said to be 115KB. Also, Quick Heal noted that their security application detects this malware and alerts the user if any.

Bharti Airtel Adds VoLTE Support to Nokia 8, Nokia 6, and Nokia 2 Smartphones

Bharti Airtel has finally brought Voice over LTE or VoLTE support for Nokia phones. The company announced that Nokia 8, Nokia 6 and Nokia 2 will now support Airtel’s VoLTE services. With the rollout of VoLTE services for Nokia phones, now users on these devices can experience HD quality crystal clear voice with faster call setup time. Airtel says VoLTE offers instant call connect which is three times faster than standard calls. In addition, the service allows for multitasking as VoLTE allows your internet session without interruption when you make a call.









Nokia users can now call on any mobile, landline network using Airtel VoLTE. Furthermore, customers won’t be charged extra for VoLTE and calls will be billed as per existing plan or pack benefits.
A VoLTE service can easily work on most 4G/LTE enabled devices, and Airtel VoLTE services are already available on wide range of smartphones including those of Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus among others. However, VoLTE services are available only in select few areas. The service is currently available only to Mumbai, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Karnataka and Chennai.
In order to avail VoLTE service on Nokia device, you will have to get a 4G SIM or upgrade your existing connection to 4G from the nearest Airtel service centre


You just have to insert the Airtel 4G SIM in the slot with data capability and select the “4G/3G/2G (Auto)” as the preferred network mode. Follow these steps to enable the 4G data– Settings -> SIM networks -> Preferred network type -> 4G/3G/2G.


Then you’ll have to enable VoLTE on your Nokia smartphone. On Nokia devices, in order to enable VoLTE services, you need to go to Settings -> Mobile Network -> Turn on VoLTE call. Users of Nokia smartphones will see “HD/VoLTE” icon on the top bar of the screen, which indicates that their phone is ready for VoLTE calls.


However, even in the areas with VoLTE, the service depends upon the area which you are in. In case the 4G network coverage isn’t available, VoLTE calls automatically fall back on the 3G/2G network so that users stay connected.


Bharti Airtel is currently offering VoLTE services in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Karnataka and Chennai.