Learn about the new and malicious GhostCtrl virus that turns your Android phone into a spy!

After weeks of detecting a malicious worker programmed to extract patient data from hospitals, the Dutch cyber security company Trend Micro has discovered another serious attack vector for Android devices that allows individuals with bad intentions to secretly control devices.
Trend Micro researchers claim they have detected at least three distinct differences in the malicious program called GhostCtrl, while the first two are designed to steal data and remotely control different phone features, and the third adds more.


The worst part is that cybersecurity predicts that the virus will continue to evolve. According to their findings, the malicious GhostCtrl program masquerades as a legitimate application like Watsab. Once it is installed, it installs a malicious Android application package (Apk) running in the background. At this point, hackers can exploit this to get infected machines to execute commands.
Trend Micro warns that bugs allow for a wide range of commands, allowing hackers to identify and target content without the owner's consent or knowledge.
The company has since published a list of executable action codes that allow hackers to:
* Monitor your sensor data in real time
* Delete, modify and move files in your system
* Send texts to your contacts
* Collect information such as call logs, message logs, as well as browser bookmarks.
In addition to this, the researchers note that GhostCtrl also has the ability to reset remote passwords, play different sounds on your phone, record video, and control your Bluetooth.
This basically means that once an attacker has successfully infected your system, everything will be transferred to a full-fledged listening device specially designed to spy on you.
To avoid trouble, GhostCtrl advises users to update their phones instantly to the latest version of Android, restrict user permissions on their personal computers, and regularly back up their data.