JAKARTA – A new discovery in the world of cyber security has once again triggered concerns for Android users. Malware called “NoVoice” has reportedly infiltrated more than 50 applications on the Google Play Store with a total download exceeding 2.3 million times. However, behind the threat, there is one news that is quite reassuring: most modern devices are guaranteed to remain safe.
This report was first revealed by Bleeping Computer based on the results of an investigation by a team of researchers from McAfee. The NoVoice malware was found hidden in various types of popular applications, ranging from system cleaners, games, to photo galleries.
The way it works is quite aggressive. After users download the infected application, the malware will exploit Android security gaps to gain root access – the highest level in the operating system. If successful, the perpetrator can access sensitive data such as usernames and passwords, including for financial applications.
Not only that, this malware is also able to install or delete apps without the user’s knowledge. In some extreme cases, NoVoice can even embed itself so deeply into the system that it cannot be deleted even if the device has been reset to factory settings.
Although it sounds worrying, the impact is limited. Google ensures that Android devices that have received security updates since May 2021 already have protection against the exploit used by this malware.
This means that the majority of users with relatively new or regularly updated devices do not need to panic. Security systems such as Google Play Protect also automatically detect, block, and remove malicious applications from user devices.
“Devices that have been updated since May 2021 are already protected,” Google said in the report, while stressing the importance of regular system updates.
One of the apps that was said to be infected was “SwiftClean”, which is known to carry the NoVoice payload. However, until now, the complete list of more than 50 affected apps has not been published.
This case is again a stark reminder that the lifespan of a smartphone’s security is not only determined by performance, but also update support. Using a device that no longer receives updates is like opening a door without a key – it can technically still be used, but the risk is clearly increased.
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