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Android phone users hit by SMS malware

SINGAPORE — Android mobile phone users here were hit by a malicious software today (Nov 24) that spread through SMS.

Malicious SMS that could lead to malware being downloaded and installed on the mobile phone. Photo: M1/Facebook

Malicious SMS that could lead to malware being downloaded and installed on the mobile phone. Photo: M1/Facebook

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SINGAPORE — Android mobile phone users here were hit by a malicious software today (Nov 24) that spread through SMS.

Affected users were asked to click on a link in the message and once they did so, most were prompted to install an app called PhotoViewer containing the malware. Once installed, a similar SMS message would be sent to all the contacts on the phone’s address book.

The spread of the malware prompted Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT) to issue an advisory on its website tonight, urging affected mobile phone users to delete the SMS message immediately if they had received it. The public was also cautioned against clicking on any suspicious links. Owned by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), SingCERT was set up to detect, resolve and prevent cyber security related incidents on the Internet.

The advisory also included instructions on how to delete the malware from affected phones by first deleting the PhotoViewer app. Users should then delete the Android Application Package (APK) file from the Downloads folder, which can be accessed from the browser’s settings page.

The three main telcos — SingTel, StarHub and M1 — said they received reports on the malware, and all three took to Facebook to warn their customers about it. StarHub added that its network had blocked access to the link to prevent customers from getting infected by the malware.

On whether it would be waiving the outgoing SMS charges for affected customers, a StarHub spokesperson said: “We will provide any necessary assistance to affected customers.”

 

 

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