DUBLIN & DALLAS – March 3rd 2015 – One of the single largest messaging-initiated mobile malware outbreaks has been uncovered by AdaptiveMobile. The malware, which uses victims’ mobile phone contacts to propagate, sends messages to their contacts linking to offers for spoof Amazon vouchers, which when opened, installs malware to their Android device.

The attack, which went live on the 25th February and originated in the US, has infected thousands of mobile devices in more than 30 countries around the world, including Canada, UK, France, India, Korea, Mexico, Australia and the Philippines. So far the attack has generated more than 16,000 click-throughs across multiple channels including Facebook and email, but has SMS as the primary channel for distribution accounting for over 99% of the malicious messages.

“By using the victims’ own contacts, the attack exploits peoples’ inherent trust when receiving messages from one of their own contacts. The speed with which this was able to spread round the globe shows how attackers are using mobile messaging as one of the most effective methods of distributing malware and achieving rapid global reach,” said Simeon Coney, SVP Security Practice, AdaptiveMobile. “To be able to detect, protect against and remediate from new threats it is critical to undertake constant proactive monitoring and control. By analysing billions of messages in real-time every day from across 75 mobile operators globally, AdaptiveMobile was able to identify the threat and protect their customers in a matter of hours.

More information on this new mobile malware is available on the AdaptiveMobile blog http://www.adaptivemobile.com/blog/worm-gazon-want-gift-card-get-malware.