Mysterious malware that re-installs itself

Mysterious malware that re-installs itself infected over 45,000 Android Phones

I new malware is detected in recent research. The malware reinstalls itself after deleting it or after the factory reset.
The malware named Xhelper already infected mare than 45,000 Android Phones in just the last 6 months and it is continuing to spread by infecting at least 2,400 devices on an average each month according to Symantec report published.

What an Xhelper can do by itself:

1. "xhelper regularly reinstalls itself, almost every day"
2. "The install apps from unknown sources setting turns itself on"
3. "I rebooted my phone  and also wiped my phone yet the app xhelper came back"
4. "Xhelper came pre-installed on the phone from china"
5. "don't buy cheap brand phones"

From Where Xhelper Android Malware Comes?

Though the Symantec researchers did not find the exact source from where the malicious app packed with the Xhelper malware comes in the first place, the security firm did suspect that a malicious system app pre-installed on Android devices from certain brands actually downloaded the malware.

Symantec researchers report "None of the samples we analyzed were available on the Google Play Store, and while it is possible that the Xhelper malware is downloaded by users from unknown sources, we believe that may not be the only channel of distribution," 

How Does the Xhelper Malware Work?

Once installed, Xhelper doesn't provide a regular user interface; instead, it gets installed as an application component that doesn't show up on the device's application launcher in an attempt to remain hidden from the users.
In order to launch itself, Xhelper relies on some external events triggered by users, like connecting or disconnecting the infected device from a power supply, rebooting a device, or installing or uninstalling an app.

he Xhelper malware has been seen targeting Android smartphone users primarily in India, the United States, and Russia.
Though many antivirus products for Android detect the Xhelper malware, they are yet not able to permanently remove or block it from getting itself reinstalled on the infected devices.

Since the source of the malware is still unclear, Android users are recommended to take simple but effective precautions like:

1. keep devices and apps up-to-date,
2. avoid app downloads from unfamiliar sources,
3. always pay close attention to the permissions requested by apps,
4. frequently back up data, and
5. install a good antivirus app that protects against this malware and similar threats.