> The malware ships preinstalled in the device firmware, and we found multiple system packages involved, depending on the device. It’s on the phone before the owner switches it on for the first time, and it can’t be uninstalled.
> The malware runs with system-level privileges that allow it to silently install and remove apps, grant permissions, and load arbitrary code supplied remotely. This essentially means its operators could install and delete apps at will, tuning each device to their needs, including making them part of large botnets.
> This scheme is likely designed mainly to generate revenue. The operators carry out ad and click fraud, collect device and installed-app information, and turn infected devices into residential-proxy relay nodes, making them zombies in botnets. This creates an additional revenue stream, as access to botnets for DDoS attacks is a hot commodity. The larger the botnet, the more money they can charge.
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