Android Gamers Beware of Fake Fortnite Game that Contains Spyware and Cryptocurrency Miner

Android malware posing as Fake Fortnite Game includes spyware, cryptocurrency miner and install unwanted apps that show ads to generate revenue for authors. Epic games, the publisher of Fortnite recently announced that they are to extend the support for mobile platforms.

Recently they have launched the game for iOS and the Android next few months according to the company statement, in the meantime malware authors try to attract the users with malware posed as a Fortnite game.

According to zscaler “We observed this trend with Fortnite as well, in which multiple instances of Android malware were posing as the Fortnite game.”

Android spyware – Fake Fortnite Game

Upon installing the Fake Fortnite Game the icon also shows the Fortnite name and the spyware starts collecting call and SMS logs and record keystrokes. Also, the spyware contains following accessibility functions.

1. Make calls
2. Send SMS
3. Accessing camera and taking pictures
4. Wiping device data
5. Accessing accounts
6. Reading keystrokes
7. Accessing file manager
8. Recording audio

According to researchers the spyware not made any connection with command-and-control servers. Possibly the spyware is still under development.

Also Read Maikspy – A Spyware Attack on Windows & Android Users via Adult Games

Cryptocurrency Miner – Fake Fortnite Game

Researchers observed coin miners distributed as a Fake Fortnite Game app. The app found hosted in androidapk[.]world disguised it as Fortnite mobile.

The mining malware contains coinhive scripts embedded, the mining app significantly raises the CPU usage once the app is installed in the device. It will drain the device battery and slow down the infected device.

Revenue Generation – Fake Fortnite Game

The malware authors pushing some unwanted apps posing Fortnite game that generates ad revenue. The fake apps were removed more than 5 thousand times from the play store.

Once these apps installed on the device it shows clean Fortnite game playing screen and redirects the browser to fill an online form that downloads additional apps that helps the author to generate revenue.

Common Defences and Mitigations

• Give careful consideration to the permission asked for by applications.
• Download applications from trusted sources.
• Stay up with the latest version.
• Encrypt your devices.
• Make frequent backups of important data.
• Install anti-malware on their devices.
• Stay strict with CIA Cycle.