Malware Scans Mobile Devices for Cryptocurrency Wallet Recovery Phrases

A newly identified malware campaign has targeted cryptocurrency users by scanning private photos stored on their mobile devices for wallet recovery phrases.

The malware, known as SparkKitty, was discovered inside applications distributed through both Apple's App Store and Google Play.

Once installed, the malicious software attempted to gain access to users' photo libraries, where it searched for sensitive information such as cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases.

Cybersecurity experts have warned that recovery phrases are among the most valuable pieces of information associated with crypto wallets, and obtaining one can grant an attacker full control over the associated digital assets.