Text Messages Being Sent Out by the Mamont Virus
Headline: Beware of Malicious APK Files Sent Via SMS: Protect Your Smartphone from Potential Infection
In recent times, a new form of malware has surfaced, posing a significant threat to the security and privacy of smartphone users. This malicious software can compromise your device by reading SMS messages, pushing notifications, accessing photos in the device's gallery, and even automatically forwarding itself to contacts in your phonebook.
Scammers are using provocative texts such as "Is that you in this video?" or "Look, you're in this photo!" to send .apk files to smartphones. The aim is to entice users into opening these files. Police advise against opening unknown files from messages, even if the sender is known, to avoid potential infection.
To safeguard your smartphone against these malicious .apk files, it is crucial to adopt a few protective measures. Firstly, avoid downloading or installing APK files from unknown or suspicious SMS messages. Instead, install apps only from official stores like Google Play.
Secondly, utilise mobile antivirus apps such as McAfee Mobile Security or those with features like Google Play Protect, enabling real-time scanning and phishing/malware detection. Regularly check app permissions and revoke any suspicious ones or Device Admin rights given to unknown apps.
Avoid clicking links or downloading files from unsolicited SMS to prevent infection and spreading malware to contacts. If you suspect infection, immediately turn on airplane mode, reboot in safe mode, uninstall suspicious apps, run a malware scan, and change your passwords via a clean device.
Disabling outdated 2G connectivity may reduce some SMS-based attacks on Android 12+ devices, but it is not a standalone safeguard and can affect functionality. Vigilance—such as manually typing URLs instead of following SMS links—and security best practices substantially reduce risk.
In summary, your best line of defense is cautious behavior regarding unsolicited SMS APK files, combined with trusted antivirus protection and permission management to detect and block potential malware before it can spread to your contacts. Stay vigilant, and protect your digital world.
To defend your smartphone against malicious APK files sent via SMS, it's vital to refrain from downloading or installing APK files from unknown or suspicious SMS messages. Instead, install apps solely from official stores like Google Play.
Furthermore, incorporating mobile antivirus apps like McAfee Mobile Security or using Google Play Protect's features for real-time scanning and phishing/malware detection can safeguard your device from potential threats. Regularly review app permissions and revoke any questionable ones or Device Admin rights given to unknown apps.
