Microsoft Security Team Helps Android Users. What about Microsoft Users? Meh?
July 13, 2022
Two items caught my attention this morning (July 4, 2022).
The first is “ALERT! Microsoft warns of dangerous Android malware on your phone that intercepts OTP, SMS too.” Locating this story might be tricky. I noted it on DailyHunt, an information service in India. The url displayed for me is in this link. Your mileage may vary. Yeah, the modern Internet. The article reports:
Toll fraud malware, a subcategory of billing fraud in which malicious applications subscribe users to premium services without their knowledge or consent, is one of the most prevalent types of Android malware.
What’s the fix? Here’s a helpful suggestion:
A rule of thumb is to avoid installing Android applications from untrusted sources (side loading) and always follow up with device updates.
The second was “Android Toll Fraud malware can subscribe users to premium services without consent.” Once again, the link to my source is this information highway signpost. Good luck because this may be similar to the now long gone Burma Shave signs. The article informed me that:
The toll fraud malware… purchases subscription on behalf of the user in a way that the overall process isn’t perceivable.
So what’s the fix?
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from this malware is by download the latest version of available software update on your smartphone. Apart from that, avoid installing Android applications from untrusted sources. In addition to that, avoid granting SMS permissions, notification listener access, or accessibility access to any applications without a strong understanding of why the application needs it.
Helpful indeed.
Here’s a quick question: What about Microsoft security for its products and services? Meh. What’s important is a little bit of negative PR for the fun loving Googlers.
Stephen E Arnold, July 13, 2022
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