The other day, I learned what "money-sucking mobile phones" are. Apparently, manufacturers in China are making mobiles phone pre-installed with computer viruses. The problem is so big that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is cracking down on the criminals.
Here is the sucking part: the computer virus, or hidden app, in these buggy phones are designed to send texts, or perform other operations, that directly cost the consumer money. IT World reported:
"Each month, the phones will spend only about 2 yuan (US$0.30) in text messages or other mobile services. The small amount ensures that users will not take notice... The phones make money by accessing mobile services operated or linked to the handset maker..."
Multiply thirty cents by several hundred-thousand infected mobile phones and you have an efficient money-making enterprise. So far, the affected (infected?) knockoffs are Android phones.
What's a consumer to do? First, buy from a reputable retail store. Second, be a smart Internet user. The bigger threat is probably from websites that install malware or viruses when you visit them. So, don't click on links sent to you from strangers via text messages or via social networking sites. I follow Facecrooks to stay aware of scams and viruses on Facebook. At social networking sites, I don't accept friend requests from people I don't know, or can't verify via an alternate method (e.g., call them on the phone) first.
If you think that your smartphone is infected, AARP Scam Alert says it is difficult for consumers to tell for sure. Here are some clues:
"Your bill may show texts to unknown phone numbers, often occurring at the same time as legitimate calls... The battery is warm when the phone isn't in use, or it dies quickly... Your phone flickers when not in use."
Of course, lock down your smartphone with a passcode. A future blog post will discuss "lost and found" apps for your smartphone.
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