XHelper is a malware for Android that has been around for a while. Security company Malwarebytes first detected it in May 2019.
Since then, almost all the applications Android security software can detect xHelper, which means that Android devices running some reputable security software should be protected against this malware.
But apparently, cleaning one devices is much more difficult than we thought, as xHelper returns even after a full reset of the system.
How is that possible; According to Malwarebytes, xHelper does not use any pre-installed malware on the firmware, but Google Play, which still "serves" the malware after a complete reset of a device or after a successful cleanup with an antivirus program.
"Google Play is not infected with malware. However, something in Google PLAY causes re-infections - maybe something left in storage. In addition, it could use Google Play as a smokescreen, falsifying it as a source of malware installation, when in fact it comes from another site, "says Malwarebytes in a new analysis of malware.
The security company describes in detail a case of infection with xHelper. After a closer look at the files stored on the infected Android device, it was discovered that a Trojan dropper was embedded in an APK located in a directory called com.mufc.umbtts.
Researchers still do not know how Google Play is used to cause the infection.
“Trojan.Dropper.xHelper.VRW does not appear to be installed anywhere on the device. We believe it was installed, run and uninstalled again within seconds to avoid crawling - all from something triggered by Google Play. "The 'how' is still unknown," say Malwarebytes researchers.
To clean the infection, you should first disable the Google Play Store and then run a device scan with one antivirus. Otherwise, the malware will return, despite its deletion.