A newly uncovered malware campaign is drawing attention to so-called "zombie" phones, devices that appear to function normally while being secretly controlled by cybercriminals. 

Dr. Makhduma Saiyed, assistant professor of Computer Science at Trent University Durham GTA and network security expert, says devices infected with malware, in some cases before they are even purchased and turned on, can become part of larger botnets used to carry out cyberattacks without their owners' knowledge. 

"This does not mean consumers should be afraid of buying new phones, but it shows that security is not just the user's responsibility," says Saiyed. "Manufacturers and suppliers also play an important role in ensuring devices are secure before they reach customers."

While some compromised phones show no obvious symptoms, Saiyed advises users to watch for warning signs such as unusual battery drain, overheating, slower performance, unexplained data usage, unusual permission requests, or unfamiliar apps that cannot be removed. 

At Trent Durham, Prof. Saiyed is working to protect network systems against cyber attacks. She's leading cybersecurity research focused on strengthening the detection and understanding of cyber threats through advanced and explainable AI systems designed to help identify vulnerabilities and better protect critical digital infrastructure.

Learn more about Prof. Saiyed's research and Trent Durham's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence programs. 

Read the full news story about zombie devices.