Technology is ever-changing. Several changes happen each day in the industry. The primary purpose of technological advancement is to provide a comfortable living for humans and simplify their complex tasks. It can also be termed a ‘boon for humankind.’ One of the finest examples of this development is smartphones. But we must not forget that each coin has two sides. The more we allow technology to penetrate our lives, the more we are exposed to the threats that accompany it.
Today we will talk about one such technological threat – the Joker Malware. Joker is one of the most destructive malware out there. This threat to Android devices is also causing havoc with a global reach. Read on to know more about Joker, how it can affect your device, what you should do if your phone is infected, and how to protect your device from it.
What Is Joker Malware?
Joker, a.k.a. SysJoker, is malware specifically designed to target Android users. It sneaks into applications and gives you access to premium services without your consent using WAP billing services. It was first identified five years ago in 2017. During that time, it mainly affected paid SMS messages.
Android Joker virus is one of the biggest cyber security threats which is designed to generate revenue for cybercriminals. Joker is capable of interacting with various advertising networks and web pages by simulating clicks and secretly signing up unsuspecting users for premium services. Google has discovered that more than 1,700 Android apps have been infected with Joker and has already removed them from the Play Store. The malware can sneak into your device despite all these checks and preventive measures.
How Does Joker Infiltrate Your Phone?
The creators of the android joker virus are super smart and have devised a perfect attacking plan that fools both Google and Android users without creating the slightest doubt. Let’s get to know their plan in detail.
The creators select free applications appearing clean and secure that contain false positive ratings. Unaware users download the application believing it to be safe. Then, when many phones have these apps installed, the creators of Joker release an update containing this malicious program making it quite impossible for users to detect.
Even though Google has a plan of its own to combat Joker, all Android users must remain vigilant and be skeptical about the application details. The hackers are in the capacity to launch up to 23 fake applications in a single day, making it difficult to identify, track, and override their plans.
Another possibility of the android joker virus getting into your phone is through direct peer-to-peer file transfers. Joker malware enters your phone through malicious Microsoft Word, PDF document, executable file (.exe), JavaScript file or archive file (ZIP, RAR), etc., only if you open the files by clicking on them or the links.
What To Do If Your Android Is Infected With Joker?
Before we proceed to know about the steps to restore the device after getting infected, let’s talk about how to identify if your device is infected.
Your device will show signs of being infected by Joker, such as automatic subscription renewal, automatic money transfer, etc.
If you find any of this happening to your device, the first thing you should do is –
- Contact the service providers to unsubscribe the services so that you don’t get charged anymore.
- Report that you have been a victim of Joker.
- Uninstall all the unwanted, crappy, and infected apps from your device immediately.
- Install excellent mobile antivirus software to perform partial or complete restorations of your device.
You can also read “How To Avoid Getting A Virus On Your Devices From The Internet“.
Precautionary Steps To Prevent Your Device From The Malware
‘Prevention is always better than cure!’ Here are the steps that will help you to protect your phones from getting infected.
- Always delete the Google Chrome and Mozzila Firefox browser history.
- Turn off the browser notifications.
- Do not click on the links of any mail, SMS, or any other message if its source is spammy or unidentified.
- Keep a tab of data and battery usage of all the installed apps.
- Reboot your device in “Safe Mode.”
- Disable applications that have administrator privileges.
- Clear all the cached data from the system.
- Avoid granting permissions to apps that seem doubtful.
- Do not try to download files from any unsafe website.
Conclusion
This is how the malicious android Joker virus infiltrates your device and steals your data and money. It is crucial for the users to be cautious while downloading apps from the Google play store. This malware can not only steal your money but also misuse your personal data as a weapon against you and put you in trouble. Keep performing these checks and device cleaning activities once in a while so that you stay protected from the attack of the virus.
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