2016 has started well for security issues and owners of Android devices are no exception.
In the last few days we have had :
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
