Cyber criminals and mobile malware authors with very little coding experience can now create Android ransomware automatically using Trojan Development Kits (TDKs).
According to a Symantec report, criminals can start using the TDKs by downloading the free app from hacking forums and via advertisements on a popular Chinese social networking messaging service.
The app appears similar to other Android apps and has an easy-to-use interface, but is used to create malware with all sorts of customized options.
For example, authors can select a custom message for locked screen, icon used by the malware, and keys to unlock locked screen, to name a few.
Once the ransomware is created, the user can choose how to spread it. The automation process follows the Lockdroid behavior of locking the device’s screen.
Users and enterprises can use mobile anti-malware products, such as Symantec and Norton, to detect Trojans created using kits like this.