This should know about Android SMS malware Mazar – Android Planet

Look out for unknown text messages because malware via a link in a text message to delete your entire device. You need to know.

There is a new threat for Android devices. Heimdal Danish security company has discovered an attack is done by spreading a strong form of malware via text messages. The malware is called Mazar and to administration rights to your their smartphone, thus you can delete entire device, expensive phone calls can make or you can read personal information such as your credit card information.

This is going

Heimdal think there have received the text message on the attack more than 100,000 Android devices in Denmark. Or users in other countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium, the text messages received is also currently unclear. However, it is the first time that Mazar has discovered such a large-scale attack.

The text looks like an innocent message with a link to what looks like a multimedia app. This link will download Tor software allowing anonymous Internet connections are available on the smartphone. Then the invisible malware is downloaded via Tor.

Heimdal Mazar has been tested on devices with Android 4.4 (Kitkat), but think older devices are also vulnerable. Newer versions of Android are unfortunately not been tested yet.

This you can do about it

Although it is not yet known whether the Dutch aircraft receive text messages, it does not hurt to prepare. Oddly enough Mazar does not work if the language of your Android device on Russian state, but henceforth to walk around with a Russian device is exaggerated. What you mainly need to do is press the left side of text messages that you do not know the sender. This sounds obvious, but it can not hurt to emphasize it yet. Not only emails but also in SMS messages clicking on a link can do a lot of damage.

it is also smart to set that there are no apps from unknown sources on your Android device may be installed. For this you go in Android settings to ‘security’ and move to “Unknown sources” The switch to the left. This ensures that there only be able to install apps from the Play Store.

While Heimdal has not tested the newer versions of Android are vulnerable, it is always smart to update your smartphone directly as a new version is available. The newer your Android version, the safer you are. So wait not to install these updates, but install right to be as protected as possible from external attacks.