--- title: Android Malware Named MasterFred Seeks User App Login Information description: Android Malware Named MasterFred Seeks User App Login Information --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # Android Malware Named MasterFred Seeks User App Login Information Android Malware Named MasterFred Seeks User App Login Information ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 2 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/11/27/android-malware-named-masterfred-seeks-user-app-login-information) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/11/27/android-malware-named-masterfred-seeks-user-app-login-information&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EAndroid+Malware+Named+MasterFred+Seeks+User+App+Login+Information%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EAndroid+Malware+Named+MasterFred+Seeks+User+App+Login+Information%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/11/27/android-malware-named-masterfred-seeks-user-app-login-information) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)If you have an Android device be aware that there's a new strain of malware out there. Called MasterFred this new malware utilizes well-constructed fake login overlays in order to steal the login and credit card information for Twitter Instagram and Netflix users. A sample of the code was submitted to VirusTotal in June of 2021 when the malware was first spotted in the wild. Independent analyst Alberto Segura shared a second sample online a week ago with the note that the malware he sampled was used against Android users in Turkey and Poland. Avast Threat Labs got their hands on the sample and discovered APIs provided by the built-in Android Accessibility Service were utilized to display the malicious overlays. **Avast Threat Lab had this to say about their research:** *"By utilizing the Application Accessibility toolkit installed on Android by default, the attacker is able to use the application to implement the Overlay attack to trick the user into entering credit card information for fake account breaches on both Netflix and Twitter."* While not new or innovative it is a clever bit of code relying on elements native to the device under attack to help the malware accomplish its mission. That's not to say that MasterFred isn't innovative in other ways however. For instance it uses a dark web gateway called Onion.ws to deliver the login and credit card information it steals to its command and control server. Note that briefly MasterFred was found on the Google Play store embedded in a legitimate app. That app was removed but given its presence there (however temporarily) it stands to reason that the hackers are also pushing their malware out to third party app vendor sites as well. Stay vigilant. MasterFred certainly won't be the last threat we see this year. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Business Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... Jul 28, 2026 Compliance [HIPAA Security Rule Changes Are Delayed To 2027: Why Healthcare Organizations Should Not Wait](https://blog.securafy.com/hipaa-security-rule-changes-are-delayed-to-2027-why-healthcare-organizations-should-not-wait) The updated HIPAA Security Rule won't take effect until 2027, but healthcare ... 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