Android Owners – Security Issues – Tips To Stay Secure

2016 has started well for security issues and owners of Android devices are no exception.

In the last few days we have had :

• Mazor Bot 
• Xbot

This malware if installed on an Android device can :

• Steal online banking and personal details
• Imitate apps for some of the most popular banks in Australia
• Gain root access to help survive device restarts
• Send and Read your SMS messages
• Make calls to your contacts
• Infect your Chrome browser
• Change phone settings
• Force the phone into sleep mode
• Access the Internet
• Wipe your device’s storage 
• Send data to the attackers

So what can you do to prevent this:

• Only get apps from the Google Play Store 
• NEVER click on links in SMS or MMS messages sent to your phone.
• Go to Settings → Security → Turn OFF “Allow installation of apps from sources other than the Play Store” option.( see underneath )
• Always keep an up-to-date Anti-virus app on your Android devices I recommend Lookout 
• Avoid unknown and unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots and keep your Wi-Fi turned OFF when not in use.
• Keep your device and its apps updated