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Android Users WARNED -Fraudulent App Steals Bank Details
Android Users Warned Over Fraudulent Delivery App That Intercepts Bank Details
Messages pretending to be from well known delivery firms such as DHL are being sent to people with a link to a tracking app - which, in reality, is a malicious piece of spyware
Daily Mirror UK, 26 APR 2021.
Network operator Vodafone said millions of the text messages were already being sent, across all networks (Image: Getty Images)
Android users are being warned about a new text message scam that’s being used to intercept contacts from phones and target people’s sensitive details.
Members of the public are being sent messages containing links to tracking apps for delivery companies such as DHL – however, the links are actually directing victims to a fraudulent app.
Flubot, as the app is known, can take over devices and spy on phones to gather sensitive data, including online banking details.
It also has the ability to trawl though contact lists – allowing the scam to widen its reach.
Vodafone said millions of the text messages were already being sent, across all networks.
"We believe this current wave of Flubot malware SMS attacks will gain serious traction very quickly, and it's something that needs awareness to stop the spread," a spokesman said.
The company said anyone who has installed the app should reset their device to factory settings
Customers should "be especially vigilant with this particular piece of malware", he said, and be very careful about clicking on any links in a text message.
Other networks, including EE and Three, followed with warnings of their own.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) urged people not to click on unsolicited links.
"If users have clicked a malicious link it's important not to panic - there are actionable steps they can take to protect their devices and their accounts," a statement said.
"The seriousness of these malicious text messages is underlined by Vodafone making the decision to alert its customers," said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight.
"This has the potential to become a denial-of-service attack on mobile networks, given the clear risk that a rogue application can be installed on users' smartphones and start spewing out endless text messages.
"The broader risk for users is a loss of highly sensitive personal data from their phones," he added.
One version of the scam reported online pretends to be a text message from DHL, with a link to a website for parcel tracking.
If someone using an Android phone clicks on the link, they will be taken to a page "explaining" how to install the parcel tracking app using something called an APK.
APK files are a way of installing Android apps outside of the secure Google Play store
By default, such applications will be blocked for security reasons, but the scam page includes instructions on how to bypass any restrictions.
That can be confusing, as there are some niche genuine cases for installing those kind of apps - such as downloading the Fortnite video game, which was removed from the official app store amid a major legal row between its owner and Google.
Apple iPhone users are not affected as those phones cannot install Android APKs.
Kate Bevan, computing editor at consumer magazine Which? said people have to be "wary" of texts.
"If you're not sure, contact the delivery company's official customer service helpline," she said.
"As ever, it's important to make sure that your mobile phone is up to date with security patches. Consider also installing mobile security software from a trusted brand."
Industry body Mobile UK said users who receive a suspicious message should forward it to 7726 to report it, a spokesman said - and then delete the message.
Action Fraud, the official anti-scams body, said suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726 where it can be investigated.
If your personal details have been compromised, alert you bank and phone provider immediately. It’s also important to change any passwords.
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