Android SMSSEND Trojan Is Lurking In Wild Ready To Infect Your Smartphone

People buy android smartphones not because of its huge availability but the features that these phones offer. Features like customizing UI and installing third party application makes android phone the perfect eye-candy. Often these features turn ugly when the need for third party app installation makes your phone vulnerable to external attacks. A new virus has been introduced by hackers which takes the advantage of third party app installations and leaks all the vital information of that particular smartphone to the attackers.

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The virus named as ‘android SMSSEND’ is a Trojan which makes it more difficult to deal with. When user installs a third party app infected by this trojan, it sends all the vital information like contacts, account id, passwords, pictures and even bank details (if connected) to the hacker. The virus also sends random text messages to random contacts in your contact list.

This Trojan is so strong that it can install spyware on the infected phone and with the help of spyware it can track the location of the device, crash the operating system completely and can also disable the firewall. In addition, the android SMSSEND trojan is known for invading other android apps on device to send messages via text to international numbers and increase your phone bills.

In order to secure your android based smartphone, we recommend that you install only the trusted applications and do not install apps from any unknown sources. If you side-load any third party app, take a look at the permissions that app requires and if you find something wrong avoid installing that app. If an open unknown wireless network is available, avoid connection with it. Share your views and suggestion for tackling trojans on Android OS in the comment section below.

Source: Beware! A new Android virus could be sending out your data

Replies

  • Vikram S Bargah
    Vikram S Bargah
    if that's the case then how can one differentiate between the trusted apps & unknown ones as every app ask for permission to use personal information (though they have a disclaimer about their privacy policy) like current position, contacts list , apps installed etc.
  • Abhishek Rawal
    Abhishek Rawal
    Vikram S Bargah
    if that's the case then how can one differentiate between the trusted apps & unknown ones as every app ask for permission to use personal information (though they have a disclaimer about their privacy policy) like current position, contacts list , apps installed etc.
    In CM we can enable 'Privacy Guard' which denies sharing of personal info, contact list, sms list,etc.

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