Chinese mobile ad firm accused of distributing Android malware

An Android-based malware campaign has been found to control as many as 85 million Android devices globally and is making its gang an estimated US$300,000 per month in fraudulent ad revenue, according to security firm Check Point.Check Point said that a Chinese advertising company called Yingmob (微贏互動) is responsible for distributing the malware HummingBad on a massive scale and would appear to be the same firm behind Yispecter iOS malware.The researchers claimed that apps from Yingmob were installed on nearly 85 million Android devices.Listed as based in Beijing's Chaoyang District, Yingmob, a subsidiary of MIG Unmobi Technology Inc., markets itself like any other advertising firm. Its website claims its easy-to-deploy ads support text, pictures, and video, and don't affect the user experience. It offers pop-up, sidebar, and in-app adverts.The malware allows the injection of adverts into victims' devices. Whenever someone clicks on one of these adverts, Yingmob gets paid, just like a typical advertising campaign.According to Check Point, Yingmob uses HummingBad to control 10 million devices globally and generate US$300,000 per month in fraudulent ad revenue.