I Think My Phone Got Hacked

StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 09:19
Last edited 20/11/2015 - 09:24

Today I awoke and found my phone had texted myself with a fake link. I'm worried my phone might have a security flaw. It's only a few days old and only had applications from the Google Play store and I don't visit dodgy websites. It's a Galaxy s6. Since I was in a rush to start using it I forgot to enable the phones security (my mistake I know).

I activated Knox, Avast and Malwarebytes all saying there had been no issues found. So i'm a bit lost how my phone was able to text itself .

Since then i've done multiple factory resets and encryptions and re activated all the security software which says everything is still fine and no issues. I'm just worried my phone might not be safe to use.

Does anyone have any suggestions ?

Or should I start trying to find deals on tin foil ?

Mobile

Comments

    • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 09:38

      Yeah coming from an iPhone all this is pretty new to me.

      In saying that i'm enjoying having multiple phone selections.

    • enzioFirenze on 20/11/2015 - 09:43
      -7

      that is simply not true you know, iOS is actually more susceptible to hacking than Vanilla Android, you should do some reading on latest security researches before asserting something like this IMHO!

      • gummibear on 25/11/2015 - 03:44

        Any links? I'd be keen to read about any such flaws

    • Clear on 20/11/2015 - 09:59

      Android malware comes from dodgy apps when you allow the phone to install apps from outside of Google Play. You have to go into the device security settings to enable it and it has a great big warning about it too. Pirates get what they deserve.

      • dasher86 on 20/11/2015 - 10:33
        +2

        you may have legitimate reasons for installing apps outside of google play.
        Amazon App store for instance.

        • Clear on 20/11/2015 - 11:48

          Of course. Majority of research into Android Malware shows that it's coming from pirated games.

        • Forfiet on 20/11/2015 - 17:33

          @Clear: but….but….humblebundle!!!

        • Clear on 20/11/2015 - 17:51

          @Forfiet: I'm only saying you get it if you go do piracy or use dodgy third party marketplaces…

    • melbstheburn on 20/11/2015 - 10:39

      This is why I have a blackberry, nothing is more secure than a blackberry ;)

    • RockyRaccoon on 20/11/2015 - 14:33
      +8

      zfan

      Really smart arse comments like that can only come from a fan boy

      Android people can be dicks and rubbish IOS. and they are just that Dicks!

      IOS people can be dicks and rubbish Android. and they are just that Dicks!

      The sooner everyone stops this stupid mine is bigger than yours, the nicer this place will be.

      Its for bargains not religions

  • OZB Al on 20/11/2015 - 10:05
    +19

    This sounds more like a spoofed SMS than anything to do with your phone. Your carrier may be able to help you clarify where the message came from.

    • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 10:42

      Thanks i'll give them a call !

    • DARK KHAOS on 21/11/2015 - 10:44

      yes spoofed caller/sender id.

  • shadowarrior on 20/11/2015 - 10:18
    +1

    Stagefright? Disable Auto-retrieve for your MMS under the messages settings.

    • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 10:41

      Thank you i'll give that a look over right now.

    • ESEMCE on 20/11/2015 - 10:45
      +1

      Would have thought an S6 would be up to date enough to be not affected?
      But defintely worth checking with a stagefright checking app.

  • geek001 on 20/11/2015 - 10:25
    +2

    Maybe check your phone bill and see if you did texted yourself? If you did, then there is a problem with your phone, otherwise it is a probably spoofed message like OZB AI said, which means your phone number somehow ended up on sms spam list somewhere?

    • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 10:41

      No I didn't text myself thats for sure.

      Okay so nothing major to be worried about ?

      Thanks for the help :)

      • geek001 on 20/11/2015 - 10:51
        +1

        I would say not much to worry about if you checked your phone bill and nothing came up.

        I think that apps these days seem to ask for more permissions that they need. When you install an app, have a look through the permissions and see if it really needs it. Think twice about apps requiring access to photos, contacts and account info. eg. why would the Scoopon app need access to my photos? Not saying there is anything malicious there, but you do wonder, don't you?

        • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 11:19
          +1

          Yes you raise a very valid point.

          Is the built in knox defender enough or should I also run Malwarebytes and Avast?

        • geek001 on 20/11/2015 - 11:47
          +1

          @sshazam: Probably 3 is a bit of an overkill. Kinda like having 3 antivirus software on your computer. If you generally don't circumvent Google Play or open weird sms/mms. You should be ok. I have had Android phones for a long time. The only time I got scammed was with those premium sms service that you get tricked to sign up online. But the joke is on them, because I signed up using a prepaid phone with no credit, so I keep getting sms saying that my account could not be charged because of insufficient credit. Lol.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/11/2015 - 11:30

    there are a few permission checker apps in the play store. download one and see which apps have SEND SMS permissions. If any look dodgy, uninstall.

    • StonedWizard on 20/11/2015 - 12:29

      Do you know any names ?

      • Clear on 20/11/2015 - 13:37
        +1

        Sophos has an inbuilt privacy feature that'll tell you. Just don't go trying to remove your messaging app ;)

        Your S6 is due for the Marshmallow update in January and that will allow you to block permissions for certain apps.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2015 - 22:20

        F-Secure's app called "F-Secure App Permissions" is pretty good, and requires no permissions unlike the other recommedations.

  • Unorthodox on 20/11/2015 - 16:25

    Are you using the stock messaging app?

  • Bystander on 21/11/2015 - 07:28
    +1

    Just for fun I used to send messages to my friends from themselves.

    Easy to do. Nothing to worry about.

    • Spending2Much on 21/11/2015 - 20:23

      Can you do that without having access to their phone?

      • Gina Rinehart on 21/11/2015 - 23:33

        Yes. There are publicly available web services which allow you to send a message to any number, from any number.

        • ahly92 on 22/11/2015 - 00:51
          +1

          may i know the service?

        • Gina Rinehart on 22/11/2015 - 03:00

          @ahly92: I have sent you a PM, I don't think it is in the public interest to know how to do this, even though it has legal uses.

        • meatgasm on 22/11/2015 - 05:04

          @brezzo: I used to know an app that used to do this. Would you be so kind to send me a link too?

        • ahly92 on 22/11/2015 - 12:49

          @brezzo:
          True this could easily be blocked if brought to public.

      • Bystander on 22/11/2015 - 14:36

        Sure can. My ISP used to allow customers to send messages and put anything they wanted in the From field, numbers or letters. So apart from using someone else's phone number sometimes I would send a message from just a name. Friends would see a message pop up from Darth Vader advising them to "Use the force". Obviously they had no way to reply.

    • misu p on 22/11/2015 - 09:38

      You can do the same with emails :).

  • [Deactivated] on 21/11/2015 - 22:18

    Often happens a sender uses your name our number in "from" section of the message and it is very easy and simple to do so, but then your phone uses your name coz that information matches that entry from your phone.
    Nothing to worry, having your phone reset to factory default, the easiest way to check it, is to see iff at that particular time you have sent the message. Contact your carrier to make sure.

  • CandyMan on 22/11/2015 - 09:38

    Free solution https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/220889

  • [Deactivated] on 22/11/2015 - 10:32

    check your app permissions next time, very interesting in what apps want to look and use.

    • StonedWizard on 22/11/2015 - 10:43

      Do you know how I can do that ?

      • [Deactivated] on 22/11/2015 - 11:10

        Before you install an app or when you press the install button there will be a window that pops up which shows what permission the app will use and you press the confirm button to follow through with the installation of the app.

  • neilpatrickharris on 22/11/2015 - 15:05
    +2

    I had received the same SMS a month ago: "FIRST_NAME, this is a photo notification: virus link". My colleague, who is using an iPhone, also received this message around two weeks ago. Both were disguised as sent from ourselves.

  • SpaceNinja on 22/11/2015 - 15:47
    +1

    that's your alter ego trying to get in touch.

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