The National Cyber Security Centre is warning Android users not to open suspicious links.
However Apple iPhones have not been affected by the malware.
It's after an alert about a new "Flu Bot" scam, which uses fake missed delivery texts like these:
✅ Customer notice ✅
We’ve been made aware of a FluBot scam text circulating. We would like to warn our customers to take the following actions if they receive a text message that looks like the one below:
🔗 Do not click on any links
🗑️ Remove the text from your phone pic.twitter.com/ZwLEnSg4Z2— Three Ireland (@ThreeIreland) June 2, 2021
Fake Texts Invite Malicious Apps
The NCSC says the links in these texts will attempt to install two .apk files on your phone.
So those .apk files are actually apps.
They aim to harvest personal details in the background, better known as "trojan horse" viruses.
The name comes from the ancient Greek story about soldiers hiding inside wooden horses, to attack when it was least expected.
I got this scam message yesterday, save the number if you want. I blocked it already😅 pic.twitter.com/bGctCnJ33m
— Sarah (@sarahandtheface) June 2, 2021
Advice For People Getting Texts
Here's is the best advice for you if you've been bombarded with dodgy texts.
- Do not click any links
- Check your deliveries from the company's official website
However if you have clicked these links, the NCSC is advising you to:
- Perform a factory reset on your phone
- Don't restore any backups dated after the infection happened
- Reset any passwords on apps you've used after the infection.
- Make sure Google Play Protect Services is turned on
