Recently, viral message that says: „Privet tut fotki http://bit.ly/YJrDjG kak tebe?“ ("Hi, here are some photos, what do you think?" in Russian) started spreading in the networks of all service providers. If the customer opens the link, he or she is prompted to install an application which contains the actual virus that sends the same text message to all contacts in the address book.
„After receiving a link from a friend, one is very curious to see what is in it, but customers should be careful. It might be that sending text messages is just a way a virus spreads and its goal is to steal contact data stored on the phone. Usually it is used to send spam. Customers should be alert because virus sends text messages constantly and might increase the phone bill dramatically”, says Laura Bielskė, spokesperson of Bitė Lietuva.
According to her, virus is not activated if the link is opened. Virus is installed when the customer accepts an application update.
Bitė already took actions to stop the virus, but the most effective way to protect one's data and device is not to open the link and delete such message. Mobile phone users are adviced not to open links in messages with different text – it is better to check if the sender sent that message intentionally. Moreover, PC users should also be more careful because the virus has already been spotted in instant messaging program Skype and on Facebook.
If the virus has infected the phone, it can be cleaned out in two ways. The first method is to install anti-virus program for phones and delete virus using it. Second, delete all of the information on the phone and memory card. This service is provided free of charge in the Bitės Išmaniųjų mokykla.
The first messages of this kind started to circulate in CIS countries in the end of last week and soon spread to other countries, particularly Estonia and Latvia. This virus is extremely dangerous to smartphones with Android and Symbian operating systems.
