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A new and extremely dangerous cyber threat has emerged for Android users, dubbed the ‘Android God Mode Malware.’ Government cybersecurity agencies have issued a warning regarding this virus. Once it infiltrates a phone, this malware can seize almost complete control of the device—often without the user having the slightest clue.

This dangerous virus disguises itself as legitimate applications, such as banking apps, utility tools, customer support apps, or government service apps. Frequently, it infiltrates phones via WhatsApp APK files or phishing links, masquerading under names like SBI YONO, RTO Challan apps, or digital certificate services. The moment a user installs the app and grants it accessibility permissions, the malware becomes active.

Once active, it can monitor every activity occurring on the phone's screen. It can read SMS messages, steal OTPs, make calls, access contacts, and even secretly activate the camera in the background. When targeting banking apps, it deceives users by displaying fake screens, thereby facilitating the theft of banking credentials and passwords.

If you notice any app on your phone repeatedly requesting accessibility permissions, attempting to set itself as the default launcher, remaining hidden without an icon, sending SMS messages unexpectedly, or automatically enabling call forwarding, exercise extreme caution. These could be signs of the Android God Mode Malware.

How to Stay Safe?
To remove this malware, first boot your phone into Safe Mode. This disables all third-party applications. Next, navigate to your phone's Settings, locate any suspicious apps, and uninstall them. Afterward, revert your default launcher settings to the system's native launcher.

Then, go to Accessibility Settings and Device Admin Permissions to disable any unfamiliar or unauthorized services. Users can also disable call forwarding by dialing ##002#. Finally, restart your phone and verify whether the issue has been resolved.

If the malware persists despite these steps, performing a Factory Reset may be your final option. Android users should always download apps only from trusted sources.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.