Threat Descriptions

Adware:Android/Maxit.A

Classification

Category :

Spyware

Type :

Adware

Platform :

Android

Aliases :

Maxit.A

Summary

Maxit.A gathers information from a device, and stores the details in a location accessible to the application developer.

Removal

Once the scan is complete, the F-Secure security product will ask if you want to uninstall the file, move it to the quarantine or keep it installed on your device.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Maxit.A is an SMS-based marketing module that provides SMS advertisements and other extra services. An application containing this module will gather the following information from the device it was installed on:

  • International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number
  • International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number
  • Phone number
  • Operating system version
  • Operator name
  • Operator code
  • Operator ISO
  • SIM country code
  • SIM operator
  • SIM serial number
  • SDK version
  • SDK number
  • Device release date
  • Device model
  • Device manufacturer
  • Device product
  • Device brand
  • Device language setting

The gathered information is then stored in a location accessible to the application developer, as provided by the advertising service.

Mobile apps, especially those distributed for free, often include behavior or components for displaying third-party advertising content. This is done as an alternative form of revenue for the software developers, who would otherwise have to charge users for the application itself. If a user is unaware of the 'ad-supported' nature of such programs, or objects to the content being shown, they may cause considerable annoyance.

If use of the program outweighs the inconvenience of having ads displayed, you may choose to keep the app installed on your device.