Malware: what are the most dangerous viruses in the world and the measures to protect your cell phone

Users of

operating system

(from Google) have been

or directly

 with at least three

or

in the last month.

According to a recent report from the cybersecurity company

mobile malware

, followed by

and

.

As specialists point out, the Alienbot computer virus belongs to the 

family for Android devices.

This virus allows a remote attacker, in a first step,

legitimate financial applications, such as Home Banking or Exchanges.

Once the cybercriminal takes control of the device, he immediately gains 

, without any hindrance.

FluBot

is an Android malware that is distributed via phishing SMS messages (Smishing), most of the time posing as logistics delivery brands.

Once the user clicks on the link within the message, they are redirected to a download of a fake application containing FluBot.

Once installed, the malware has several capabilities to

, including uploading the contact list as well as sending SMS messages to other phone numbers. 

And xHelper

 is a rogue app seen since March 2019, used to download other rogue apps and display ads.

This malware has the ability to

in case it was uninstalled.

How an Android phone "catch" malware

Photo: Shutterstock

In principle, it must be clear that the risk that all the information stored on a device will run depends exclusively on the uses and customs of the users, specifically, the applications that are usually

or the

of dubious origin.

"What we see the most are

, that is, applications that pretend to be some kind of legitimate service or platform, generally for reading PDFs, instant messaging services, downloading from a site that claims to be the official one, or even official stores", said 

, Computer Security Researcher at

.

And he added: "Although obviously stores like the Google Play Store have certain controls in place, the reality is that since there are so many applications, some are exposed when it comes to filtering them."

Most of these malware, once they infect the device, have the characteristic of

in the sense of recording keystrokes.

When you enter an application, as explained by ESET, the cybercriminal can lift the password placed.

Also

, phone calls, photographs, videos.

On the other hand,

can be a vector of contagion, even though they are in disuse.

The

that can show that a cell phone is under the control of a cyber attacker manifests itself in behaviors that the user is unaware of, that is, messages sent, calls made, images in the gallery that are not recognized.

For this reason and to avoid greater evils, the specialist recommends 

, the number of downloads it has and that it is a known version, even if they are in the paid mode.

Second, investigate a little more the developer user behind that application.

The Google Play Store usually groups those developed by the same users, with which it is possible to enter and

.

Even the endless annex of the terms and conditions.

How manufacturers protect Android cell phones

Photo: Checkpoint

The companies that are in charge of manufacturing smartphones, such as

, invest budget not only to innovate in design or more powerful cameras, but also in computer security to protect the information of their users.

For their business and professional devices,

to enhance their workflows and enable them to use and manage Galaxy family devices in as secure an environment as possible.

Although it is not specifically an antivirus, this security tool from the Korean giant fulfills the task of

that a user will have on their device.

Specifically, Samsung Knox restricts mobile applications from automatically downloading outside the Google Play Store, access to potentially harmful website addresses (urls), access via USB, manages the firewall and the connection to secure Wi-Fi networks, among other things.

Motorola devices, meanwhile, are insured by  Lenovo-owned

, which optimizes protection from manufacturing to the end user.

Its main features include protection against malicious software, identity theft and other threats. 

Some family computers, like your latest premium phone motorola edge 30 ultra, for example, have another layer of protection:

, which is physically separate from the main processor that runs Android.

"This tool provides

to guarantee the protection of confidential data: PINs, passwords and cryptographic keys are hidden, and stored in a secure environment", remarked Pablo Brancone, Product Manager of Motorola Argentina.

However, those who end up being victims in most cases do not have a security solution installed on the device.

In a series of surveys recently carried out by ESET among 70 security managers from different companies in Latin America,

. 

"These issues are not reported or not reported to official stores, or to security companies. Usually people factory reset their phone or give it up for lost. Even if they don't realize they are under attack, they follow it using", reflected Martina López from ESET.

SL

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