A new strain of mobile ransomware abuses the notification mechanisms “incoming call” and the “Home” button to lock screens on Android devices.
Under the name AndroidOS / MalLocker.B, ransomware is hidden in Android applications that are offered for download from online forums and third party websites.
Like most ransomware for Android, MalLocker.B does not actually encrypt the victim's files, but prevents access to the rest of the phone.
Once installed, ransomware takes over screen of the phone and prevents the user from leaving the screen displaying the ransom note. The note is designed to look like a message from local law enforcement and tells users that they have committed a crime and must pay a fine.
The ransomware uses a two-part mechanism to display the ransom note.
The first part abuses the "incoming call" alert. This is the feature that is enabled for incoming calls displays details from the caller and MalLocker. Uses it to display a window that covers the entire area of the screen with details about the incoming call.
The second part abuses her operation “onUserLeaveHint()”. This feature is used when users want to push an app to the background to switch to a new app. Activated when you press Home or Recents buttons. MalLocker.B abuses this function to reset the ransom note and prevent the user from switching screens, or opening another application.