Singapore Police Advice: Download from the Official App Store
The Singaporean police have warned people against downloading files from unknown sources on their phones because it can result in the loss of personal photos and videos, and put their banking and social media credentials at risk.
When users install mobile malware, their devices become vulnerable to a variety of risks, including: decreased performance, unauthorized access to systems and data which can lead to loss of control, unauthorized installation or removal of apps, interception of SMS messages, unwanted notifications, and extraction of confidential and sensitive data like banking and social media credentials, credit card numbers, and private photos and videos. This information can be used by attackers for impersonation scams or fraudulent financial transactions, resulting in monetary and reputational damage for the victim.
Stay Protected
To protect mobile devices from malware, the public is advised to:
Only download apps from official app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Check the developer information before downloading an app.
Review app security permissions and privacy policy before installation.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links, pop-up ads, or opening files or email attachments from unknown senders.
Install updated anti-virus and anti-malware software.
Keep the mobile device's operating system and applications up-to-date with security patches.
If a device is suspected of being infected with malware, users should perform an anti-virus and anti-malware scan, uninstall unknown applications, and contact their vendor for assistance or reformat the device to factory settings. It is recommended to back up device data before reformatting.
For more information on mobile malware prevention, consult the CSA's SingCERT advisory.
