How to deal with ransomware that hijacks Android phones and demands ransom.

Data on a user's Android phone will be completely "frozen" when infected by the SLocker ransomware. How can this be prevented?

Images and documents on an Android phone are locked by ransomware - Photo: RemoveMalwareVirus

Experts from security firm Trend Micro warn that a new type of ransomware targeting Android smartphones is rampant in Asia.

Trend Micro named this malware SLocker; it has a notification interface similar to WannaCry, the ransomware that attacked Windows computers and caused panic among many companies worldwide recently.

Cybercriminals distribute SLocker as a free Android game hacking app, video streaming app, or disguised or embedded within other popular apps. Once it infiltrates a victim's smartphone, it changes the background with a distinctive red notification similar to WannaCry, demanding a ransom for data recovery within 7 days.

This is a blackmail message from SLocker to its victims after infiltrating their Android smartphones. (Image: Trend Micro)

Trend Micro's malware activity tracking system shows that SLocker suddenly surged in May, concentrated in China. Experts believe SLocker was written by "amateurs" because it has easily exploitable vulnerabilities. It doesn't encrypt Android system files on smartphones, but instead targets image, video, and document files ranging from 10KB to 50MB in size.

The next vulnerability of SLocker was its use of the QQ payment service to extort money from victims, and this is what led to the owner of SLocker being tracked down and arrested by Chinese cyber police.

SLocker's encryption key can also be cracked using detailed instructions from Trend Micro.

Although SLocker is the basic form of ransomware on mobile devices like Android smartphones, experts warn ordinary users to be vigilant and avoid becoming victims like in the WannaCry incident, as it would be too late to react.

Three things to keep in mind when dealing with ransomware:

* Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or upload it to cloud services.

* Do not download unfamiliar applications from public sharing sources online; only download licensed applications from official app stores like Google Play.

* Use an antivirus security app on your smartphone or tablet, similar to how you would use it on a computer.

According to TTO