Mamont virus spreads in Telegram messenger: it steals SMS, push notifications and photos

Scammers are using a new virus to hack phones and steal sensitive information, including payment and bank identification data. As experts explained, the hack is preceded by the sending of a video, under the guise of which a malicious program is installed on the smartphone.

What else is known

The fraudulent scheme itself is two-stage: first, the cybercriminal sends the phrase “It's you on the video?” via a personal message, attaching the “video” with the program extension .apk. As soon as the executable package is launched, the virus is activated.

The virus itself is a multi-component Trojan that simultaneously steals the contents of push notifications, SMS and photos from the gallery.

Let's remind beginners that .apk – is a kind of archive for storing and installing applications for the Android operating system.

As experts explained, the attackers who spread the Mamont virus are most interested in payment data, the funds themselves and your personal data. All this can be used for further illegal purposes, in particular, aimed at your closest environment. The only way to protect against this type of threat, – Do not trust any person, even the closest one, who asks to run an unknown program.