A while back I wrote about the nasty CryptoLocker ransomeware that was encrypts the hard drives on PCs. Hackers then demand a ransom in exchange for decrypting the locked files. Not a good thing!
Now, a similar piece of ransomeware is attacking Android devices. It’s called SimpleLocker, and it does basically the same thing as CrytoLocker.
So far there have been no reports of SimpleLocker attacking devices in the United States, but it’s only a matter of time before it hits our shores as well.
SimpleLocker is typically downloaded onto a device by installing an infected app. Most of the infected apps are downloaded from third-party websites, but there are reports of phones and tablets getting infected via fake apps that have been uploaded to the Google Play Store.
While there’s no sure-fire way to avoid the SimpleLocker ransomeware, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize the risk:
1 – DO NOT download any Android apps from third-party websites. Get all of your apps directly from the Google Play Store instead. Also make sure that the app you’re about to download from the Play Store is the real deal, not a fake version of a legitimate app that was uploaded with the sole purpose of spreading malware.
2 – Protect your device with a high quality security app. I use and recommend the free version of Lookout Mobile Security, but there are several other good ones available for download in the Play Store.
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