new Andriod worm....

[r2d2]

Android users are being targeted by a piece of malicious software which tricks users into downloading a fake app that also targets the devices of friends via WhatsApp. The so-called 'worm' can only infect a person's phone if they receive the message themselves and click on the link it contains. It then requests the user enables a variety of functions and permissions. These activate a hidden capability which means when the phone receives a WhatsApp message it will instantly reply with a link to the dodgy site.  

The intention of the scam is to bombard people with ads, which creates revenue for criminals, or to dupe people into signing up for a subscription service. However, the tech could also be easily adapted to become more sinister and steal personal information as well as bank details, experts warn. 

The automatically sent message is pinged out just once an hour to avoid looking like blatant spam and reads 'Download This application and Win Mobile Phone'. The accompanying URL is made to look like a Google link in order to trick the recipient, however it is another hoax.  If a person does click the link it brings up a site which is a convincing clone of the Google Play store but is in fact a phoney.  It asks the person to download an app called 'Huawei Mobile'. This is not a real Huawei app and is made by the scammers.