New Android Virus ‘Cannot Be Removed From Your Phone’

Security researchers have found a new, hi-tech Android Trojan which CANNOT be removed from phones once infected.

Basically, if you are infected, you will have to buy a new device.

The good news is that - as unwanted software goes - it’s not the worst out there: it’s a ‘malicious adware’ programme, which fills your phone with unwanted adverts.

It was found by researchers from San Francisco-based security firm Lookout - and is usually downloaded as part of ‘fake’ apps which masquerade as popular ones such as Okta, Facebook, Twitter, WhatApp, and NYTimes.

The adware enters the system directory - something the user is unable to access - and cannot be removed, according to SC Magazine.

There are three ‘families’ of adware which function in a similar way - Shuanet, Shedun, and ShiftyBug.

Michael Bentley of Lookout said that the apps are typically found as downloads outside Google’s official store - and that once downloaded, users are ‘very likely going to need to replace their phone.’

To avoid infection, users should disable installation of apps from unofficial sources, and only download from within Google’s Play Store.