How To Check if Your Android Is Infected With New Google Malware “Gooligan”

If you use an Android smartphone, you may have a new strain of malware that was discovered today by Checkpoint Security. It’s called “Gooligan” and it has infected approximately 1 Million phones, which is a relatively small number compared to some recent exploits like the 500 Million Yahoo accounts that recently breached.

But, Gooligan is significant because it has the ability to root Android devices, and according to Checkpoint, this new malware can steal:

…email addresses and authentication tokens stored on them. With this information, attackers can access users’ sensitive data from Gmail, Google Photos, Google Docs, Google Play, Google Drive, and G Suite.

So, if you use any Android smartphone, you can use Checkpoints “Gooligan Checker” to see if your smartphone is infected.

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If you are not infected, make sure you don’t accidentally download this malware by downloading your Android apps *only* from Google Play.  Also, avoid phishing attacks by never clicking a link that you sis not request.  The book Digital Habits, contains more tips on how to avoid phishing attacks.

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David W. Schropfer

David W. Schropfer is a technology executive, author, and speaker with deep expertise in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Operations at DomainSkate, where he leads growth for an AI-driven cybersecurity threat intelligence platform. As host of the DIY Cyber Guy podcast, David has conducted hundreds of interviews with global experts, making complex topics like ransomware, AI, and quantum risk accessible to business leaders and consumers. He has also moderated panels and delivered keynotes at major industry events, known for translating emerging technologies into actionable insights. David’s entrepreneurial track record includes founding AnchorID (SAFE), a patented zero-trust mobile security platform. He previously launched one of the first SaaS cloud products at SoftZoo.com, grew global telecom revenue at IDT, and advised Fortune 500 companies on mobile commerce and payments with The Luciano Group. He is the author of several books, including Digital Habits and The SmartPhone Wallet, which became an Amazon #1 bestseller in its category. David holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College.