SMARTPHONE owners have been warned about Trojans aiming to steal their data.
A Trojan horse virus is a type of malware that is downloaded to a system disguised as a legitimate program.
Now in a new one after on Reddit, iPhone and Android owners are raising the alarm about this malicious software infiltrating devices.
The thread links to an article by 9to5Mac that warns of an Android Trojan called GoldDigger.
After coming to light last year, researchers discovered that the malware can steal biometric data and bank account information.
Now the trojan has evolved into the GoldPickaxe trojan and can infect both iOS and Android.
HOW DO TROJANS WORK?
Typically, hackers use social engineering methods to hide the malicious code in software.
Once the software lands on your device, it can infiltrate discreetly to steal sensitive information.
This can include personal photos, text messages, emails, login details and contacts.
It then sends this information back to advertisers, data companies or third parties, such as hackers.
In some cases, the malware can help hackers gain remote access to your device.
“I found a new trojan, I unlocked my phone, gave it to a malicious person and told them my password. It gave them full access to my device,” a Reddit user shared below the thread.
“This happened to me when I used a third-party app store on Android a few years ago,” said another.
“I tried everything to remove the trojan. In the end, the only thing that worked was resetting the phone. It was a huge task, but I learned my lesson,” she added.
“Everyone will be scammed or deceived at some point in their lives. It’s impossible to know about every scam,” warned another.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
There are a number of ways users can protect your device from Trojans and other malicious software.
For starters, you should never download apps from outside the official Apple or Google app stores.
It’s important to also keep your phone’s software up to date as updates often include security patches.
Never download a link or open an attachment from an email or text message that seems strange, suspicious, or unfamiliar.
Finally, you’ll want to install an antivirus program on your device so it can scan for malware.