FBI: Watch for Phone Viruses

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The FBI is warning about recent malware designed to take over or spy on your smartphone…

Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware. Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out email. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.

FinFisher is a spyware capable of taking over the components of a mobile device. When installed the mobile device can be remotely controlled and monitored no matter where the Target is located. FinFisher can be easily transmitted to a Smartphone when the user visits a specific web link or opens a text message masquerading as a system update.

These are affecting phones with the Android operating system, but other phones may be vulnerable to different exploits. They offer tips for protecting yourself, including avoiding jailbreaking devices, connecting to unknown wireless networks, trading in your device without erasing its data, and failing to update software.

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