HomeWinBuzzer NewsAndroid Emulator Andy OS May Be Installing Crypto Miners

Android Emulator Andy OS May Be Installing Crypto Miners

Popular Android emulator AndyOS appears to be knowingly installing a file detected as a cryptocurrency miner on user's PCs, using GPU resources and increasing temperatures.

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Users are reporting that popular emulator Andy OS is installing a GPU crypto miner on their system. The claims originate in a Reddit post by u/TopWire and have since been investigated by various publications.

After running the Andy OS installer and declining all offers, it appears to install a program called ‘Updater.exe' via a false ‘GoogleUpdate.exe', before setting it to run at startup.

According to BleepingComputer's Lawrence Abrams, GoogleUpdate.exe has a description of “AndyOS Update' and is code signed by the company, showing that the company either created the file or intentionally signed it. The file's signature also belongs to Andy Inc., making it likely the company is aware of the process.

Further, TopWire says:

“A friend opened Andy in process explorer to see the files it drops upon installation. By the looks of things, the installer isn't at fault. Andy itself calls an IP which then transfers the bitcoin miner to your system.”

Andy OS Response

So far, Andy OS is yet to make an official statement on the matter, though an executive at the company allegedly told TopWire that the crypto miner comes via their third-party installation file.

After seeking answers on Facebook, the Reddit user was removed from the support group several times. Though the installation of a crypto miner hasn't been confirmed definitively by a third-party, Adams confirms that the file provided by TopWire contains strings referencing mining.

Additionally, VirusTotal marks the installer as an InstallCore variant and updater.exe as a miner. Andy support says it's investigating the issue but is yet to remove the installer from its site.

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.

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