FBI Warns of New Cyber Threat Targeting Your Smartphone—Here Are the Top 5 Things You Need to Know
- The FBI has issued an urgent alert about a sophisticated malware strain called 'Ghost' that can secretly record calls, steal passwords, and activate cameras on both Android and iOS devices, with infections spiking 300% this month.
- This malware often spreads through fake 'verified' apps on third-party stores or malicious links in popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, bypassing official security checks.
- The first warning sign is unexplained battery drain or overheating, as the virus runs hidden processes in the background, but users may also notice weird pop-ups or contacts receiving strange texts.
- To protect yourself, the FBI recommends immediately deleting any suspicious apps, rebooting your phone, and enabling 'Google Play Protect' or 'Apple's Lockdown Mode' to block unauthorized access.
- If you suspect infection, do NOT try to pay a ransom—instead, contact the FBI's Cyber Division via its official hotline and do a full factory reset while backing up only essential data to a secure cloud.