There’s a new menace for your Android mobile phone if you don’t update it. It’s a malware that may block your device and compromise your privacy and phone security. There are some recommendations to avoid issues and defend your Android phone.
The new menace is called Ratel RAT and your mobile phone may be victim if you don’t update. The malware attacks obsolete Android phones and it has been detected in Huawei, Google Pixel, Samsung and Xiaomi devices. There’s no trademark distinction. Ratel RAT may affect any Android device with an obsolete version of the operating system.
The Android update campaign to avoid a new menace
The Android phones and tablets with Android 11 or lower may be victims of Ratel RAT. The 87,5% of the affected devices have Android 11 or below, whereas the 12,5% remaining includes Android 12 and 13. The first need you have to do is check your Android version.
Ratel RAT attacks through different ways. There are campaigns in social networks such as Instagram or Facebook, or WhatsApp groups and antivirus downloads. The strategy consists in fooling the victim to download an APK and then infest the device.
The APK poses as a legit software but it’s in fact a malware code. It asks for your permission and runs on the background. From there, it can weaken your phone and steal different information. For example, the hacker may use it as ransomware and ask you for money to regain control of the phone. It can also be used to eliminate content, block the screen or leave it unusable. The Ratel RAT malware also filters SMS and 2FA codes or your location to make your phone more vulnerable.
Cyber security investigators from Check Point have discovered the numerous risks that Ratel RAT represents. An Android update may help you avoid the menace, but the hackers also use existent vulnerabilities to try and sneak into Android devices.
Protect your mobile phone
In order to protect your mobile phone from malware menaces you first need to avoid downloading and installing APK apps. Any file that it’s not in the official Google Play Store is a possible threat. The third party app stores may be full of malicious software. For example, apps that promise to increase your mobile phone speed are the most common malware threats.
It’s also important to update your Android version. The operating system needs to be on the latest version to include all the security barriers and improvements from the developers. Hackers are always searching for vulnerabilities to steal your data, passwords and execute commands remotely.
On the other hand, installing a good antivirus may help you to protect your Android phone more effectively. There are different alternatives and very easy to find. If you have a mobile phone with Android, make sure the version update to avoid a new menace like Ratel RAT.
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