Kaspersky: 2600 Cryptocurrency Theft Cases Caused by Low-Cost Android Phones Pre-installed with Malware

On April 3rd, the cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab recently uncovered that a large number of counterfeit Android phones pre-installed with malware are being sold online at low prices. These devices have been implanted with the Triada Trojan virus, which is capable of stealing cryptocurrency and other sensitive data. According to Kaspersky expert Dmitry Kalinin, attackers have successfully transferred approximately $270,000 worth of various cryptocurrencies by replacing wallet addresses. The actual losses may be even higher as the attackers also targeted the privacy coin Monero. Currently, 2600 infection cases have been confirmed, with a main concentration in Russia. This Trojan can penetrate the firmware before the device reaches the user and can intercept two-factor authentication SMS messages to steal account information. Kaspersky advises users to only purchase devices from legitimate channels and to install a security solution immediately after purchase. (Cointelegraph)