Faketoken has been distributed and affected some Android devices through Ridesharing apps so you should be careful and more proactive when using such apps on your devices.
It is quite certain that Malware creators will continue creating and distributing their dangerous viruses as there is no sign of them stopping. Some of them has made thousands and millions of dollars through these malicious activities and while you can't stop them completely, you can protect your devices and always be very careful when dealing with some sensitive online activities.
How Faketoken Operates on Mobile Phones
Some Ridesharing apps have been discovered to be harboring mobile Trojan horses. These malwares steal bank data by impersonating the interfaces of these ridesharing apps.
According to Kaspersky Labs, if your ridesharing app asks you to re-enter your credit card information after you have already input it upon installation, you should proceed with caution. The malware responsible for this is known as the Faketoken Trojan, and apparently it has been around for a while now but more active and taking toll on many phones at the moment.
According to Kaspersky, the latest version of the Faketoken Trojan is called Faketoken.q. The company revealed that the malware infects phones through bulk SMS , where it prompts the user to download images. Once the user downloads the image, the Faketoken Trojan installs all its necessary parts, and begins to monitor everything done on the phone. Now, once the malware detects an app whose interface it can simulate, it overlays the app with its own screen. Then, instead of proceeding as usual, the app prompts you to enter your credit card information.
Some sensitive apps like mobile banking apps, Android Pay, the Google Play Store, and of course ridesharing apps has been infected already. However, the Virus is more popular in Russia but I am spreading this information globally as it could be unleashed to other parts of the world to cause more havoc.
Safety Tips to Prevent Faketoken Virus
Kaspersky recommends that you go to Android settings and prevent the installation of apps from unknown sources.
✔ Simply go to Settings
✔ Tap on Security
✔ Then uncheck Unknown Sources.
On a more serious note, you need to be aware of the permissions an app requests before installation, even if you download the app from a presumably safe source, like Google Play Store. Also, it would be prudent to install an antivirus app on your phone.
It is highly recommended that you read app permission and requests to know what the app can do on your phone before installing it. Some apps that requires the permission to access sms, call log, override other apps, galleries and some other sensitive information should be carefully examined before installation proceeds. So always feel free to apply this principle and you should at least minimize the chances of being attacked by this dangerous and malicious malware currently in circulation.
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