The Anti-virus Times

Friday, September 9, 2022

Sometimes users download apps (for example, to collect data and store running history) from unofficial stores or sites where unlicensed materials can be found. As a result, mobile devices can get infected.

Often smartphones get infected because users download applications for them from unknown sources. You may be asked to grant access to personal photos, SMS messages, call-making functionality, and special features. Just one wrong decision and your device will be under attack.

All kinds of trojans can send SMS messages to premium numbers, and your mobile account can be depleted in a matter of minutes. A service that automatically replenishes a mobile phone account balance via a bank debit card can also become a "way in" for stealing money. In some cases, when a device gets infected with a trojan, it will send money from your account until it is empty. In this case, SMS messages sent by the bank can be blocked, and you will not know about the hacking until you see zero in your balance.

In addition, malicious code can surreptitiously send intruders sensitive data: for example, online banking and social media passwords, and messages in messengers. It can also track location. Or it can take pictures with a camera and record sound with a microphone in the background.

How to recognise an infection

Be wary if you notice that:

• the battery charge rate has increased;
• performance has decreased;
• short-term hanging and accidental restarts have become more frequent;
• unknown files, shortcuts, and icons have appeared;
• you no longer receive notifications from the services you use (or, on the contrary, you start getting suspicious messages);
• your mobile phone bill has increased.