Russian cybersecurity lab, Kaspersky, has found out a new advanced Android spyware having “never before seen” features that lets hackers carry out advanced surveillance on Android phones, such as location-based audio recording, WhatsApp message theft, and connecting an infected device to Wi-Fi networks controlled by cybercriminals.

The malware, dubbed as “Skygofree,” was reportedly found on malicious websites in Italy. According to Kaspersky, the malware is most likely an offensive security product sold by an Italy-based IT company that markets various surveillance wares.

More information including, Skygofree's commands, indicators of compromise, domain addresses, and device models targeted, can be found in their blog post on Securelist.

The spyware functions by tricking the “Accessibility” feature present in Android to help users with disabilities access their apps. Using this, the spyware can read the messages displayed on the screen, even those sent by the user.

Skygofree is also capable of taking pictures and video, recording audio and noise according to the location specified by the hacker, record Skype conversations, seizing call records, geolocation data, and other sensitive data.

Kaspersky believes that, just like an earlier hack in 2015 by Hacking Team, an Italy-based spyware developer, Skygofree was also developed by Italians.

Skygofree has allegedly been active since 2014 and has been targeting select individuals, who are all from Italy. The spyware has been undergoing regular development since then and as many as 48 commands were found in the latest version.