NCC alerts Nigerians on a new virus called ‘FluBot’, lists measures to guard against attack

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday alerted Nigerians to the existence of a new, high-risk and extremely damaging, Malware called “ FluBot”.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs (DPA), NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, on Friday in Abuja.

Adinde explained that malware is a generic word used to describe a virus or software, designed specially to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

According to him, the information received on Thursday from the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), FluBot “targets Androids with fake security updates and App installations.

“The ngCERT affirmed that Flubot impersonates Android mobile banking applications to draw fake web views on targeted applications and its goal transcends stealing personal data and essentially targets stealing of credit card details or online banking credentials,”

“FluBot is circulated through Short Message Service (SMS) and can snoop on incoming notifications, initiate calls, read or write SMSes, and transmit the victim’s contact list to its control centre,”

“This malware attacks Android devices by pretending to be “FedEx, DHL, Correos, and Chrome applications and compels unsuspecting users to alter the accessibility configurations on their devices in order to maintain a continuous presence on devices.”

The NCC noted that the new malware undermines the security of devices by copying fake login screens of prominent banks and the moment the users enter their login details on the fake pages, their data would be harvested and transmitted.

The DPA further explained that the data would be transmitted to the malware operators’ control point from where the data was exploited by intercepting banking-related One Time Passwords (OTPs) and replacing the default SMS app on the targeted Android device.

“Consequently, it secures admittance into the device through SMS and proceeds to transmit similar messages to other contacts that may be on the device it has attacked enticing them into downloading the fake app,”

It suffices to say that, when FluBot infects a device, it can result in incalculable financial losses.

“Additionally, the malware creates a backdoor which grants access to the user’s device, thus enabling the invader or attacker to perform other criminal actions, including launching other variants of malware,”

In view of this discovery and understanding the process by which this malware operates, in order to protect millions of telecom consumers and prevent criminal forces, irrespective of location, the NCC reiterated the advisory of ngCERT as follows:

“Do not click on the link if you receive a suspicious text message, and do not install any app or security update the page asks you to install. Use updated antivirus software that detects and prevents malware infections,”

“Apply critical patches to the system and application. Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) over logins,”

“Back up your data regularly. If you have been affected by this campaign, you should reset your device to factory mode as soon as possible. This will delete any data on your phone, including personal data,”

“Do not restore from backups created after installing the app. You may contact ngCERT on incident@cert.gov.ng for technical assistance. You will also need to change the passwords to all of your online accounts, with urgency, around your online bank accounts,”

“If you have concerns that your accounts may have been accessed by unauthorised people, contact your bank immediately,” he said.

Adinde said that as the Commission intensifies efforts in ensuring increased broadband access, enabling telecoms consumers to carry out their legitimate activities more efficiently and effectively online, it also restates its commitment to empowering consumers.

He noted that consumers would be empowered through useful information and education to protect them from falling victims to all kinds of cyber-attack while online.

“This explains the rationale for the launch of telecom sector’s Centre for Computer Security Incident Response by NCC on Sept. 30, 2021,” Adinde explained.