Is there a Ghost Push on your mobile phone?

MUMBAI, INDIA: So far, a new malware named Ghost Push has attacked 1.3 million devices globally. Distributed through non-Google app stores, this virus has affected 14,846 types of phone and 3,658 brands.

Currently, India has 1,44,199 devices being affected by this virus and is ranked as No 2 in terms of the amount of devices being affected.

The virus is mainly spread through Europe, Russia, the Middle East region, and southern China, said researchers at Cheetah Mobile Security Research Lab (CMSRL), who first detected the malware.

The lab has so far discovered 39 apps that contain the virus.

Ghost Push installs unwanted applications like Monkey test or Times service  on the device. These applications cannot be removed even by doing a factory reset or by 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, the researchers said.