Android’s malware problem might be overstated, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious when navigating the web on your device. On Wednesday, anti-virus software maker AVG reported that a newly discovered malware can continue to spy on you even after you think you’ve turned off your device.
FROM EARLIER: Is your smartphone spying on you?
Here’s how it works: the malware hijacks the phone while it’s attempting to shutdown, mimics the shutdown procedure and then stays on even after the screen goes black. The malware is still capable of placing calls, taking photographs and performing invasive tasks on the device without ever notifying the owner.
If you want to know more about how the malware works on a technical level, be sure to visit AVG’s extensive post on the matter. It explains how the power button to become an activation trigger for the malware.
Until then, you might just want to remove your battery altogether if you want to ensure that your Android phone is really turned off.
