Warning over vicious FluBot phone malware

A vicious piece of malware which has the capacity to allow criminals steal personal data including financial information from Android phones is circulating in Ireland, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has confirmed.

In an alert the NCSC said it had received reports of a spyware software known as FluBot affecting Android users in Ireland.

The malware is “used by malicious parties to steal passwords and sensitive data from the victims’ mobile device,” the warning says. “It will access victims’ contacts and spread the malicious application through further text messages.”

The messages typically contain a link for the victim to click on to get details

of a missed package delivery. The link will direct the victim to a fake website

replicating the legitimate delivery company’s site.

The victim will then be asked to download two .apk files which are banking trojans.