The Fake Covid-19 Vaccine Sms That Compromises Android Phones Spreading: Cyber Agency

Cyber security agency has been alerted to be aware of the malicious and fake covid19 vaccine SMS. The agency has also stated that it makes entry into users’ android phones. Also, if a user opens the link or downloads that particular application, he might have to compromise his contact list in circulation. The issue became serious when we realized that at least five variants were found of this harmful and fake SMS.

The CERT-in, which is widely known as the Indian computer emergency response team, came into action and stated that they have identified and reported some variants of these malicious SMS messages are getting circulated that falsely claim to provide an app to let users for Covid-19 vaccination process in India.

In addition to that, the CERT-in stated in a public advisory issued on a Saturday that the SMS carries a link. When opening the link, it leads to the malicious android application. Also, this application essentially spreads itself via SMS to victims.

The Indian Computer agency response team is the federal technology arm. It cops up with cyber-attacks and guards Indian cyberspace also, the CERT-in fights against hacking and phishing assaults and the same kind of online cyber-attacks.

In addition to that, the CERT-In stated that the application forces users to give unnecessary permissions that attackers could leverage to get user data such as a contact list.

Here are some of its identified variants and don’t download such applications.

• Covid19.apk
• Vaci_Regis.apk
• MyVaccin_v2.apk
• Cov-Regis.apk
• Vccin-Apply.apk

Also, it is essential to know and identify the original and authentic link to register the Covid-19 process in India. The agency advised users to use only the official coronavirus vaccination portal in India, which is http://cowin.gov.in.

Through our medium, we would like to suggest that you can also download official applications such as Cowin and ArogyaSetu. The Indian government approves these applications. Also, always download applications from the official Playstore or Appstore rather than some random website or link.

Also, the CERT-in asked users to be alert and vigilant against all the malicious and phishing activities such as emails, fake SMS, applications that promise registration for a vaccine against the novel corona virus.

Also, as a precautionary measure, it is advised to the users that they should tune their android phone settings to disable the installation of applications via untrusted sources. Also, it would be better for users to fight against malicious cyber activities if they can enable safe browsing and use reputed antivirus and internet firewall tools.

India is heading towards the mass vaccination process against coronavirus across the country with the help of two effective vaccines; Covaxin and Covieshield.

According to the official data on the Cowin website, more than 170 million doses have been vaccinated to the citizens in India.

Incidents like phishing and cyber-attacks have become a headache for government bodies as well as citizens. If you are someone who has aspirations to become an ethical hacker, you must check out ISOEH; Indian School of Ethical Hacking. It is approved by NASSCOM, DSCI, and CII. The institute provides excellent campus placement to the fresher’s as well as experienced, ethical hackers.