Telecom
NCC Alerts Nigerians on TangleBot, New SMS-based Android Malware Unleashed by Cybercriminals
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has warned the general public against a new high-risk, critical short message service–based malware, TangleBot, infecting Android mobile devices.
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, stated this in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja.
Mr. Adinde noted that TangleBot employs roughly similar tactics to the recently announced notorious FlutBot SMS Android malware that targets mobile devices.
He said that TangleBot also gains control of the device, but in a much more invasive way than the FlutBot malware.
Malware also called malicious software, is any program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network, or server.
He said the disclosure about TangleBot was made in a recent security advisory made available to the commission’s Department of Information Security and New Media by the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team, ngCERT.
“TangleBot Android malware is installed when an unsuspecting user clicks on a malicious link disguised as information related to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
“This could be in an SMS message or information about fake local power outages that are about to happen.
“The goal behind both or any of the messages about COVID-19 or impending power outages is to encourage potential victims to follow a link that purports to offer detailed information.
“Once on the page, users are prompted to update applications such as Adobe Flash Player to view the page content.
“Going through nine nine dialogs to accept different permissions that will allow malware operators to start the malware setup process.
He said the immediate consequence of this is that TangleBot would gain access to several different permissions when installed on a device, allowing it to listen in on user communications.
He explained that the malware then steals sensitive data stored on the device and monitors almost all user activities, including camera use, audio conversations, and location, among other things.
However, the DPA said that the malware takes complete control of the target device, including access to banking details, and can reach the deepest corners of the Android operating system.
He urged millions of telecom consumers in Nigeria to beware of such schemes by cybercriminals, whose intent would defraud unsuspecting Internet users.
To guarantee maximum protection to internet users in the country, Adinde said that the ngCERT has offered a series of preventive measures to be taken by consumers.
He reported that the measures include a warning to telecommunications consumers and other Internet users to refrain from opening Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) from unknown sources while using their mobile devices.
“Telecom consumers should never answer or send reply messages or call back a phone number that is associated with text they do not know.
“If any telecommunications consumer is curious and wants to determine the authenticity of any call or message and wants to investigate the incident, they can perform a web search on both the number and the content of the message.
“The NCC hereby reiterates that mobile device users have an obligation to practice safe messaging practices and avoid clicking on any links in texts, even if they appear to come from a legitimate contact.
“It’s important to be judicious when downloading apps by carefully reading the installation prompts, looking for information about the rights and privileges the app may request,” he said.
He said that other risk mitigation measures recommended by ngCERT are that users be careful when purchasing any software outside of a certified app store.
“It is safer to call the company directly rather than using the phone number in the received message, especially if the message is a fake from a company.
“Telecommunications consumers and other Internet users should report any system compromise incidents to ngCERT via [email protected] for the necessary support and technical assistance.
“The Commission expresses its commitment to continually inform and educate mobile phone subscribers and Internet users in Nigeria about cyber risks, regardless of how they manifest.
“This is to insulate them from the dangers and losses that arise from cybercrime of any kind,” he said.
MTN Nigeria Communications PLC has announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement between MTN Nigeria and Natcom Development and Investment Limited (NTEL).
Uto Ukpanah, Company Secretary in a statement released recently said that the agreement covers the lease of NTEL’s 5MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) in the 900MHz spectrum band and 10MHz FDD in the 1800MHz spectrum band, which spans 19 states.
The renewal is for another two-year period, effective 1 May 2025. Additionally, the NCC has approved a one-year lease expansion of the spectrums, covering the remaining 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), effective 1 January 2025.
Commenting on the transactions, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola said, “We are pleased with the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement with NTEL, which now includes coverage for all states, including the FCT.
“The lease enables us to enhance our 3G and 4G user experience as we improve coverage and capacity by utilising the spectrums.
“This positions us to capitalise on the growing demand for data and improve the delivery of services to our customers.”
Nigeria’s technology company, Globacom, has extended warm felicitations to Nigerians on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebrations.
In a goodwill message released in Lagos, Globacom urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of love and kindness during the festive season, especially in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
The company emphasized the importance of practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the virtues of obedience to God and loving one’s neighbor as well.
“Christ taught many virtues including obedience to God and loving one’s neighbour as oneself”, the company said, adding, “Now is the apt time to practise these teachings by sharing with the needy”.
Globacom also encouraged Nigerians to extend the conviviality of Christmas beyond the festive season by fostering love, peace, and harmony, as demonstrated by God through the birth of Jesus Christ.
Assuring its customers of uninterrupted services throughout the Yuletide period and beyond, Globacom urged them to take advantage of its innovative products and services to stay connected and share the memories of the season with loved ones.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-standing N250bn USSD debt dispute before January 2, 2025.
The CBN and NCC also directed banks to pay the pre-Application Programming Interfaces (API) debt before July 2, 2025.
They also ordered that post-API debts be settled before December 31, 2024.
The directive was issued in a joint cirular titled, “2nd Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission on the Resolution of the USSD Debt Issue Between Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators.”
The circular dated December 20, 2024, was signed by Oladimeji Taiwo, acting director of the Payments System Management Department, CBN, and Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC.
The regulators said, “In view of the foregoing, the CBN and the NCC hereby direct DMBs and MNOs as follows: 1. That 60 per cent of all pre-API invoices must be paid as full and final settlement.
“Payment plans (lump sum or installments) must be agreed upon between a concerned DMB and MNO by January 2, 2025. Installments must be based on equal monthly payments, with full payment due by July 2, 2025.
“DMBs must pay 85 per cent of all outstanding invoices issued after the implementation of APIs (i.e., February 2022) by December 31, 2024.
“Similarly, 85 per cent of future invoices must be liquidated within one month of service.”
According to the regulators, the transition to end-user billing will be activated only for DMBs and MNOs that comply with the payment conditions cobtained in the circular.
CBN and the NCC said they would provide further guidance on public enlightenment initiatives related to the transition.
The regulators also directed MNOs to implement the “10-seconds rule” for USSD invoicing.
This implies that any session lasting less than ten seconds will not be billable.
The regulators added, “Failure to comply with the terms outlined in this directive will attract necessary sanctions, ensuring that both DMBs and MNOs uphold their obligations.”
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