Mumbai: A virus known as 'Andr/SlfMite-A' has been recently discovered that is spreading throughout the Android world through text messages (SMS). EScan virus scanner has reported this virus.
Andr/SlfMite-A virus sends SMSs, which includes a malicious link. If you unknowingly click on the embedded link within the SMS, then the virus easily get installed on your phone. Once the virus is downloaded onto your phone, it secretly sends text messages with malicious link to the first 20 contacts from your contact list.
These self-replicating 'worms' send SMSs to your contact list, thus playing with the trust that the receiver has in you. Just because the person from your contact thinks that the message is from you and hence is a genuine text message, they might just get tricked into clicking the link and unknowingly allow the virus to get installed onto their phone.
Andr/SlfMite-A also shows up on Windows systems. When this malware gets downloaded onto the computer, it alters the browser settings, so that when you enter a search term, it automatically redirects you to a malicious websites. It also makes changes in the registry and system files so that it can remain undetected
Tips to be safe:
- Always have anti-virus software installed on your Android smartphone.
- Never download any application in Android from untrusted source. It is recommended that you only download apps from Google Play.
- Always be cautious about opening any suspicious looking SMS web-links. It is advisable to never click on links sent through SMS.
- If you receive a mysterious SMS from one of your contacts, call them up and confirm about it.
- It is better to delete any suspicious looking messages immediately.
