Busted: Android phones from China got caught hiding nasty malware

[Andy Meek]

• Android phones made by a Chinese manufacturer and sold for years in Africa came with pre-installed malware that stole users' data and money.
• That's according to a new report from a mobile security firm, which found that tens of thousands of the Android phones were sold in Africa.
• The low-cost Chinese phone brand in question is Tecno W2.

Tecno W2 smartphones are low-cost Android phones made in China that, at least in Africa, have been giving established mobile players like Samsung a run for their money. In fact, since Transsion -- the Chinese company behind those Tecno mobile devices -- launched its first phone six years ago -- it's done so well that it's now the top handset seller in Africa, with customers particularly attracted to the cheap price tag compared to offerings from Nokia and Samsung.

“They’re very attractive and appealing to your eyes,” an unemployed 41-year-old named Mxolosi (who asked that his last name be withheld) told BuzzFeed News in an investigation about the phones, which also uncovered the fact that thousands of them were hiding malware. “Honestly, I was a Samsung fan but I said, ‘Let me try this new product.’” Soon enough, he started seeing the effects of the malware in these phones with his own eyes. His calls and chats kept getting interrupted by pop-up ads. His prepaid data kept being suddenly drained, and the phone also seemed to be signing him up for subscriptions that he wasn't aware of.

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Busted: Android phones from China got caught hiding nasty malware originally appeared on BGR.com on Thu, 27 Aug 2020 at 19:05:20 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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