Cybersecurity researchers at Georgia Tech have launched a new tool called DVa (Detector of Victim-specific Accessibility) aimed at protecting smartphone users from malware that misuses accessibility features.
Accessibility services like screen readers and voice commands are designed to assist users with disabilities. But hackers have increasingly hijacked these tools to perform unauthorized actions—such as reading private data or approving transactions—without the user’s consent.
Also Read: WhatsApp Beta Update Enhances Status Creation Tools on Android
DVa scans devices for malware exploiting accessibility permissions and generates detailed reports that help users identify and remove infected apps. It also highlights which legitimate apps were targeted and provides guidance on contacting affected services for support. A copy of each report is sent to Google to aid in app store moderation.
The tool was tested on Google Pixel devices in partnership with security firm Netskope and successfully tracked malicious activity in real time. While effective, experts emphasize that the goal is to protect users without compromising legitimate accessibility features.
