Technology
Protect your Android from the Vultur banking Trojan’s remote attacks
One of the most advanced Trojans targeting banking apps has gotten an upgrade. Vultur has been wreaking havoc on Androids since security firm ThreatFabric discovered it in 2021. According to researchers with NCC Group, the malware has reemerged and is even stealthier than before.
You might remember Vultur for the notoriety it gained for its ability to screen record on devices remotely. It hid in apps, some of which were on the Google Play Store, and infected your device.
But now Vultur has new ways to take over Androids and new methods to trick you into downloading malware. Hackers now utilize everything from text messages to phone calls to dupe their victims. Once they get into your device, they can take total control. Hackers can remotely access and use your phone – all in an effort to take your hard-earned money.
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Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Vultur’s new hybrid attack
According to NCC Group, this new attack focuses on contacting victims. It begins with a text message urging the victim to call if they didn’t authorize a transaction on their bank account. However, the transaction isn’t real; it’s simply a ruse.
If the victim calls, they will receive instructions to download a McAfee Security app containing the banking Trojan and a text message with the link.
The security app looks normal but actually contains the Brunhilda dropper, a deceptive component hidden within seemingly legitimate apps. In this case, the dropper contains the Vultur Trojan. It then releases and executes the Trojan in three batches. When the third batch is dropped, hackers can gain total control of your Android device.
Illustration of infection chain (NCC Group) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Vultur’s new features
Vultur was already a very serious threat to Android users. But now, that threat has been significantly upgraded thanks to the level of control hackers can gain. Once Vultur has infected your device, hackers can install, delete, upload and download files. It can even stop apps from running in the first place. If that wasn’t enough, Vultur can bypass Android’s Keylock feature, bypassing your lock screen.
Even more frightening is Vultur’s remote control capabilities. The malware has been able to remotely access devices since it was first discovered in 2021. But now, hackers can instruct the malware to swipe, click, scroll, mute and unmute audio, and more, giving them more control.
Hackers don’t need to worry about staying connected to the device, either. They have leveraged Google’s Firebase Cloud Messaging system to be able to send instructions to infected devices.
Samsung phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to protect your Android from Vultur
One of the biggest ways to stay away from Vultur is not to call after a hacker texts you about approving a large bank transaction. You can always call your financial intuition yourself to check. But never call an unknown phone number that’s sent to you by an unknown person. Here are some other tips as well:
Avoid sideloading apps and shortened URLs
Try not to sideload apps. That’s when you install apps outside of a legitimate source. Shortened URLs can mislead users into downloading malware.
Be careful granting permissions
Exercise caution when granting app permissions. Consider whether an app truly needs access to certain device functions or data.
Limit the apps you have on your phone
Sometimes, having a lot of apps on your phone can make it easy to be exposed to malware. These apps can let in malicious code over time, and the more apps you have to keep track of and update, the more likely your Android will be vulnerable. Here’s how to delete unnecessary apps from your Android.
Hacker using Android and laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Download apps from reputable sources
Additionally, when you download apps, make sure they are from reliable and legitimate developers. Check reviews and do some research before just hitting “install.”
Keep your Android device updated
Your phone has a way of keeping itself safe with software and security updates. Don’t forget to install them.
Have good antivirus software on all your devices
Installing antivirus protection on all your devices is the best way to protect yourself from malware. Antivirus software will prevent you from clicking on potentially malicious links that may install malware on your devices, allowing hackers to gain access to your personal information. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
What should you do if your data is compromised?
If malware has already invaded your device, then you should take immediate action to minimize the damage and secure your device. Here are some steps that you can follow:
Change your passwords
Vultur can give hackers access to everything on your device, including your online accounts and your personal or financial information. To prevent this, you should change your passwords for all your important accounts as soon as possible. However, you should not do this on your infected device because the hacker might see your new passwords. Instead, you should use ANOTHER DEVICE, such as your laptop or desktop, to change your passwords. Make sure you use strong and unique passwords that are difficult to guess or break. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
Monitor your accounts and transactions
You should regularly check your online accounts and transactions for suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, report it to the service provider or authorities immediately. You should also review your credit reports and scores to see signs of identity theft or fraud.
Use identity theft protection
Hackers can access everything on your Android device, including your personal and financial information. They can use this information to create fake accounts in your name, access your existing accounts and pretend to be you online. This can cause serious damage to your identity and credit score.
To avoid this, you should use identity theft protection services. These services can track your personal information, such as your home title, Social Security Number, phone number and email address, and notify you if they detect any suspicious activity. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to stop hackers from using them. Read more of my review of the best identity theft protection services here.
Contact your bank and credit card companies
If hackers have obtained your bank or credit card information, they could use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should inform your bank and credit card companies of the situation. They can help you freeze or cancel your cards, dispute any fraudulent charges and issue new cards for you.
Alert your contacts
If hackers have accessed your email or social media accounts, they could use them to send spam or phishing messages to your contacts. They could also impersonate you and ask for money or personal information. You should alert your contacts and warn them not to open or respond to any messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual.
Restore your device to factory settings
If you want to ensure that your device is free of malware or spyware, you can restore it to factory settings. This will erase all your data and settings and reinstall the original Android version. Before doing this, you should back up your important data and only restore it from a trusted source.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Vultur is an incredibly sophisticated banking Trojan with some terrifying features. The fact that hackers can gain full control of your Android is scary, making it all the more important that you protect yourself.
These attacks begin with a simple text message. It’s up to you to make the effort to separately call your financial institution and see if anything’s amiss. Just taking an extra 10 minutes can save you from having your entire device compromised and your personal information exposed.
How worried are you about Vultur attacks? How do you protect yourself from attacks targeting your finances? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Microsoft’s Office 2019 apps for Mac will stop working next month, because the company isn’t renewing a certificate that validates Office licenses. Owners of Office 2019 for Mac are being warned they’ll have to purchase Office 2024 or a Microsoft 365 subscription if they want to continue editing documents.
Microsoft previously promised that “all your Office 2019 apps will continue to function,” when it announced end of support in 2023. The company then quietly updated that support note last month to remove the mention of apps continuing to function, replacing it with “Rest assured that all your Office 2019 apps won’t lose any data.”
Starting on July 13th, Office 2019 for Mac and Office 2021 for Mac will both run in “reduced functionality mode,” allowing people to open files but not edit, save, or create new documents. The reduced functionality will impact Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
While Microsoft is providing a certificate update for Office 2021 as it’s still supported until October 13th, 2026, the company is leaving Office 2019 for Mac users out in the cold as support for these apps ended a few years ago. “Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support on October 10, 2023, and no longer receives updates,” says Microsoft. “Because Office 2019 cannot be updated to the required version, this issue cannot be resolved by updating or reinstalling Office 2019 for Mac.”
JimmyTech points out that old versions of Microsoft 365 apps on Mac and iOS will also be affected by this certificate issue, but a simple update will fix it for those users.
Microsoft regularly ends support of software and there’s always the risk you could run into issues running older apps or versions of Windows. It’s still surprising to not see Microsoft make an exception here though, particularly because this certificate issue breaks the main functionality of an app you’ve paid a one-time license fee for.
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You know that little moment when your phone rings and the name on the screen makes you drop everything?
Maybe it says your spouse, your daughter, your boss or your best friend. You answer because you trust the name. Then the voice sounds familiar too.
That is exactly what makes the latest phone scams so dangerous.
Android’s fake call detection can warn you when a caller may be pretending to be someone saved in your contacts. (Silas Stein/Picture Alliance)
Scammers no longer have to call from a strange number. They can spoof a trusted contact’s phone number. Then they can use AI voice tools to sound like someone you know. Android is now rolling out a new feature called fake call detection to help warn you when that familiar call may be a fake.
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What is Android fake call detection?
Android fake call detection is a new protection built into Phone by Google. It is designed to spot suspected spoofed calls when both people on the call use Phone by Google.
Think of it as your phone quietly asking, “Is this call really coming from that person’s device?” If the answer looks suspicious, your phone can show a warning and advise you to hang up. That small alert could stop a scam before fear, panic or confusion takes over.
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How Android fake call detection works
The feature works automatically in the background. You do not need to answer a quiz, scan a code or press a button during the call. When a trusted contact calls you, their phone sends a silent confirmation signal to your phone. That signal helps prove the call really came from their device.
If a scammer spoofs your contact’s number, that confirmation signal may be missing. Your phone then checks with your contact’s actual device. If the real device says it is not placing a call, your screen can warn you that the call may be fake.
The system uses end-to-end encrypted RCS technology, so the check happens privately. You can also turn the feature off in Phone by Google settings.
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Why fake calls are getting harder to spot
For years, caller ID gave people a sense of control. If the name looked familiar, most of us felt safer picking up. That old habit now works in the scammer’s favor.
Scammers can use internet-based calling tools to spoof numbers. That means your phone may display the name of someone you trust, even though the call comes from somewhere else.
Then comes the AI voice trick. With today’s audio tools, scammers can make a fake voice sound shockingly real. They may pretend to be a family member in trouble, a bank employee warning about fraud or a manager asking for urgent help.
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That combination makes the call feel personal and immediate. It also makes you more likely to act before you think.
Why Android is adding this protection now
Impersonation scams have become a major global problem. INTERPOL’s March 2026 Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment cited impersonation fraud as one of the leading contributors to more than $400 billion in global losses.
In the U.S., impersonation scams remain one of the top fraud categories reported to the FTC. Losses reached $2.95 billion in 2024.
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Those numbers tell you why this feature deserves attention. Scammers go where the money is. Right now, they know trusted voices and trusted names can open the door.
Which Android phones get fake call detection?
Google says fake call detection is rolling out globally in Phone by Google this month, starting with Pixel devices.
The feature is available on Android 12 and newer devices with Phone by Google, Contacts and Google Messages installed. It also requires RCS capability in Google Messages.
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There is one key limitation. Both you and the person calling you must use Phone by Google for fake call detection to work.
Phone by Google already comes as the default phone app on many Android devices. If your phone uses a different calling app, you can install Phone by Google from the Play Store and set it as your default phone app.
How Android fake call detection protects you
This feature gives you an extra warning at the exact moment you need it most. That timing is important. Scam calls often rely on emotion. The caller may say someone got arrested, a loved one had an accident or a bank account faces an urgent threat.
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When the voice sounds familiar, your guard drops. A warning on your screen can interrupt that emotional rush. It gives you a reason to stop, hang up and verify the story another way.
What Android fake call detection cannot do
This new tool helps, but it cannot protect you from every scam. It may not work if the other person does not use Phone by Google. It also may not cover calls from businesses, unknown numbers or contacts using unsupported devices. So you still need basic scam rules.
If someone asks for money, gift cards, crypto, account codes or remote access to your device, hang up. Then call the person or company back using a number you already trust.
Also, never stay on the line just because the caller tells you to. That is one of the oldest pressure tactics in the scammer playbook.
A spoofed call can look familiar on your screen, even when it is really coming from a scammer. (Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson)
How to protect yourself from AI voice scams
AI voice scams work because they sound personal, urgent and believable, so your best defense is to slow the conversation down before you act.
1) Create a family safe word
Pick a simple word or phrase that only your close family knows. It should be easy to remember but hard for a scammer to guess. Then, if someone calls with an emergency and asks for money, ask for the safe word. If they cannot give it, hang up and verify the story another way.
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2) Pause when the call feels urgent
Scammers want you scared because fear makes people act fast. That is why fake emergency calls often sound intense, emotional and rushed. Take a breath before you do anything. A real loved one, bank or employer will let you verify what is happening.
3) Call back using a trusted number
If a call feels suspicious, hang up. Then call the person back using a number saved in your contacts or one you know is real. Do not use a number, link or instruction the caller gives you. That could send you right back to the scammer.
4) Never send money or codes during the call
Do not send gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment app transfers because a caller sounds convincing. Also, never share a one-time passcode, PIN or account login code over the phone. Once scammers get that information, they can move fast.
5) Turn on scam protections on your phone
Use the built-in protections already available on your device. Pixel and Samsung users can enable Scam Detection in the Phone by Google app to help flag suspicious calls. Also, consider using strong antivirus software that includes AI-powered scam protection to help detect scams in texts, online content and deepfake videos. Keep an eye on call warnings too. If your phone tells you something looks risky, treat that alert seriously. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
6) Keep your phone apps updated
Update Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages when updates are available. These tools work best when your apps and phone software stay current. Updates often include security improvements, bug fixes and new scam protections.
Here’s how to check for updates on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Under Updates available, tap See details.
- Look for Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages.
- Tap Update next to each app, or tap Update all.
You can also turn on automatic app updates by opening the Google Play Store app, tapping your profile icon, then going to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. From there, choose whether to update apps over Wi-Fi, over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with limited mobile data or not at all.
Kurt’s key takeaways
If a call feels urgent or suspicious, pause before you respond and verify it another way. (Tristan Spinski/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Android’s fake call detection is a smart step in the fight against AI-powered phone scams. It recognizes something many people already know: the name on your caller ID no longer proves the person calling you is real. This feature gives Android users another layer of protection when scammers try to hijack trust. Still, the safest move remains simple. Slow down, verify the call and never let panic make the decision for you.
Should the government do more to stop scammers from using AI voices to impersonate the people you trust? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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Congress narrowly voted to fund President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security $70 billion over the next three years.
The house voted 214 to 212 in favor of the reconciliation bill Tuesday, following the Senate’s 52-47 vote last Friday morning. The vote fell largely along party lines. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Senate Republican to vote against it. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), initially voted against the bill — meaning it would have failed — but changed his vote after huddling with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), according to The Hill. No Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill, which was done through a budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster.
In a speech on the House floor ahead of the Tuesday vote, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) criticized Republicans for using the budget reconciliation process to avoid negotiating with Democrats, and emphasized ICE’s lack of popularity with the American people.
“At its core, this Republican reconciliation budget bill is a statement about priorities, and the priorities represented in this budget bill could not be more out of step with the needs and values of the American people,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon noted that DHS has yet to spend $100 billion of the nearly $200 billion it received under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She added that Trump has not only expanded ICE’s reach by increasingly going after legal immigrants but also weaponized DHS against its critics. The bill, she said, will “supercharge” Trump’s abuses.
After the House markup last Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that the bill not only lacks sufficient reforms but also cuts funding for cybersecurity and TSA, whose workers went weeks without pay during the DHS shutdown.
The funding bill comes at a time of deep unpopularity for ICE. One recent poll found that just 33 percent of voters approve of how the agency is doing its job.
And it comes amid yet another threat from border czar Tom Homan to flood New York City with ICE agents. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Homan said he would send “more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen” to New York City if the state government passed a bill limiting cooperation with DHS.
“Providing a quarter trillion dollars to an administration promising that the public ‘ain’t seen shit yet’ when it comes to mass deportation is a historic mistake,” Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said in a statement. “Supercharging the funding for these already out of control systems will come with terrible human consequences and continue to be met with increasing opposition from voters.”
Correction, June 9th: A previous version of this story said Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the funding bill. He initially voted against it but then changed his vote to support it.
Update, June 9th: This story has been updated to include comment from FWD.us president Todd Schulte.
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