Risks when enabling accessibility permissions on Android devices

What is accessibility permission?

Accessibility permission is a function on mobile devices of Android operating system (used for Samsung, LG, Oppo, Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme...) to help users use their phones more conveniently, especially are people with physical limitations.

How to take advantage of accessibility permission

When installing fake software/applications, users will be asked to grant accessibility permissions to these software/applications. Once granted permission, crooks will take advantage of this permission to record user activities and perform operations on user's mobile phone.

Risks of enabling accessibility permissions

When activating accessibility permissions for fake software/applications, crooks can steal personal information stored on the phone, sensitive information, information for using applications on the phone, especially login and transaction information on financial and banking applications… for improper purposes that users have no control over. More dangerously, crooks can make money transfers from the user's account to the crook's account on the user's phone without the user's awareness.

Preventions

-   Do not click on strange links that cannot authenticate the sending source
-   Only install software/applications on official stores for Android devices such as Google Play, Play Store, CH Play
-   When detecting your device has software/applications of unknown origin installed, you should remove these software/applications immediately and change the password, PIN code... of the applications installed on the device, especially financial and banking applications.
-   With MyVIB/VIB Checkout/MyVIB Corp/MyVIB iDepo/VIB Smart OTP application, if you suspect your phone is being tracked due to the installation of software/applications of unknown origin, please change your password, login PIN, and Smart OTP PIN immediately. Call 1800 8180 for further assistance (if needed).

Instructions for turning off accessibility permissions

Each company has different ways to activate and deactivate accessibility permissions. Please select the cell phone company you are using and follow the instructions.

The below instructions use Auto Clicker app as a sample.

1. Samsung