I got a text from a number i don't know & wants me to download message. should I?

[Whoodah Thunkit]

i was wondering if our phones can be attacked with viruses like a PC can like when someone downloads something malicious in an email attachment.

i've been spammed by text before but never sent a text attachment from a spammer.

i'm not going to open it but could this be malicious or is android not susceptible to this?

thanks.

 

[casarosa]

i was wondering if our phones can be attacked with viruses like a PC can like when someone downloads something malicious in an email attachment.

i've been spammed by text before but never sent a text attachment from a spammer.

i'm not going to open it but could this be malicious or is android not susceptible to this?

thanks.

If it is number that you do not recognize I personally would not open it, it maybe quite innocent and just someone trying to sell you something...However in all the years I have had phones with the android OS have never had a problem but am not saying if you were to go into pornographic sites something COULD happen so just be careful
stay safe Happy New Year

 

[TheOtherBill]

Rule #1. Never open attachments from someone you don't trust. Phone or computer.

Almost everything is susceptible to something malicious, with varying levels of maliciousness. More likely to be malware than a virus.

You can try two things. First google the phone #. If that doesn't tell you anything, text back a "who is this?". If neither of those turn up someone you want to be able to contact you, block the number or try this:
A trick I used for years is to create a contact called Spam. I just kept adding numbers to it, up to the limit of numbers a single contact could have. Then create another contact with a similar name (spam, spammer, etc). When you get a message or call from that number, that name shows up and you know to ignore or delete it.

 

[huaren]

No, I never open a message from stranger, it will just put your phone on risk.

 

[Whoodah Thunkit]

i later learned that it was from a friend of a friend who was replying to a "group text" from a friend of mine.

so i guess android can be "infected"?

i heard a while ago that android devices didn't get viruses, almost like how Mac computers aren't susceptible to bugs like PCs are.

thanks for the replies.

 

[billythec11]

Speaking of this.... Anyone found a way to unsubscribe from an annoying chain of too-often SMS group messages?

 

[gspam1]

i was wondering if our phones can be attacked with viruses like a PC can like when someone downloads something malicious in an email attachment.

i've been spammed by text before but never sent a text attachment from a spammer.

i'm not going to open it but could this be malicious or is android not susceptible to this?

thanks.

Google the topic. Both viruses and malware are spread through SMS attachments.

 

[fivebass52]

found this link recently, about spamming your phone contacts, which could cost you money if you're not on an unlimited data plan... worth reading...
Beware: Android virus uses your phone to spread spam

 

[ceva321]

I hate group messages!!!!