Message alert on your phone or a virus attack?

The message serves as the carrier for a software that gets automatically installed the moment you start reading the message. The result: hackers get complete access to the data on your phone that allows them to even make calls without your knowledge.

“We have received four complaints till now,in which phones have been hacked through activated Bluetooth. International calls have been made from the hacked phones,” said officials with the Cyber Cell.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime) K I P Singh said: “It is a new trend in cyber security breach. The hackers send a virus on Trojan (carrier) that infects mobile phones,either through activated Bluetooth or SMS. They take control of your phone and can access all the data of your phone,” said Singh,while adding that the phone calls made by hackers do not even get registered in the user’s phone log.

“It is a matter of grave concern and we are after the hackers. We will soon nab the culprits,” said Singh.

Vivek Kohli,a resident of Sector 44,recalls his experience of receiving unexpectedly exorbitant phone bills.

“The service providers told me that I have made calls worth Rs 8,144 when my credit limit is Rs 1,500. I inquired and found that seven international calls had been made from my phone (9814044848) without my knowledge,” Kohli told the police.

Another victim,Jagpreet Singh,a clerk with the 13th battalion of Chandigarh Police,claims that somebody made calls worth Rs 8,000 from his phone (9814837135) on January 31 and February 1.

Three international calls were also allegedly made from the phone of Monika Johar (9872084248),a resident of Sector 45,on March 15 and 16.

Sources said the phone calls made have trend: they have all been made after midnight to African countries,particularly Bulgaria. “The calls are made at a time when people are not using their phone and sleeping. We have asked the complainants to deposit their phones for investigation,” said sources.

Do’s and don’ts
* Keep the Bluetooth deactivated when not in use.
* Don’t read messages from unknown sources
* Keep a track of your mobile bills with the service provider
* Check your phone log regularly
* If you suspect that your phone has been hacked,inform the police
Software easily available
The easy-to-install hacking software is easily available on the internet.