Coming from seemingly normal Australian numbers with correct area codes, the text message scam known as 'FluBot' states that the recipient has missed a call, prompting them to click a link to listen to a voicemail before it is deleted.
The Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported that many Australians have been receiving multiple instances of these texts each day, since initially being reported on August 4.
FluBot is a type of malware that can be installed on your mobile device if you click on the malicious link in a SMS message.
Similar to a computer virus, the FluBot malware can access your personal information, and any other information, stored on your phone including passwords.
By accessing your contact list, the FluBot malware then sends similar text messages to other people from your phone without you knowing.
It's important to note that while any mobile phone (iPhone or other) can receive the text messages, the malware only infects Android users who click on the malicious link.
A spokesperson from Telstra noted that "Flubot is a sophisticated piece of malware because it spreads by sending SMS messages to random mobile numbers, as well as mobile numbers scraped from a compromised Android device’s contact list.
Each time it does this it creates a new, unique link, making it difficult to block at a network level."
Fortunately, while it is hard to know if your device has been infected and if your personal information has been accessed, there are a few telltale warning signs:
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