Malware 'Ghost Push' infects 1.3 mn devices globally

NEW DELHI: Chinese mobile Internet company Cheetah Mobile has discovered a new type of malware, Ghost Push, which is said to have infected 1.3 million devices globally, including 1,44,199 devices in India.

As per the company, which claims to be the fourth largest publisher of applications worldwide, the malware is being distributed through non-Google app stores and has affected 14,846 types of phone and 3,658 brands.

According to CM Security Research Lab, it's the most widespread and infectious virus it's seen to date. The virus is mainly spread through Europe, Russia, the Middle East region, and southern China. Cheetah Mobile has so far discovered 39 apps that contains the virus.

Ghost Push installs unwanted applications like “Monkey test” or “Times service” on the device. These applications cannot be removed easily even by doing a factory reset or using normal antivirus software. The malware slows down the system, drains the battery and consumes large amounts of cellular data. Disguised as legitimate applications, Ghost Push can spread itself widely via commercial SDKs or browser ads.