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.
Seamfix, a global digital identity solutions provider, has secured $4.5 million from Alitheia IDF, a gender lens investing fund, in a private equity funding round.
Seamfix executives
The firm plans to use the new capital injection to scale its technology infrastructure that underpins its solutions, improve data flow crucial for continental trade and integration, and kickstart the expansion of its digital ID and credential services into five new African countries.
“We are thrilled to announce this new funding, which marks a significant milestone in our journey of shaping the future of digital ID verification in Africa and connecting Africa to the rest of the world.” Chimezie Emewulu, group CEO, and co-founder of Seamfix, said.
”Digital identity is a right – not a privilege – and this belief underpins our innovation and commitment to enabling individuals and businesses in Africa to access all the benefits that come with having verifiable identities. This investment not only validates our vision but also empowers us to expand our reach and innovate further.”
Starting in Nigeria, Seamfix provides identity creation, verification and transaction accreditation solutions for large organisations and government agencies across multiple African countries.
The new funding represents Seamfix’s first institutional investment, and it will enable the company to expand its services to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
Digital ID and verification systems are crucial to unlocking significant economic value across Africa’s growing and increasingly digital societies.
From financial participation and efficiency in government services to public health and job creation, digital ID and verification systems are a fundamental driver of economic growth on the continent. A recent report suggested that African countries that implement effective digital ID systems can boost their GDP by up to 13 percent.
Since the company was founded by Chimezie Emewulu and Chibuzor Onwurah, Seamfix has been at the cutting edge of delivering end-to-end digital ID and credentials solutions for connecting businesses and individuals to the disparate identity databases in Africa and across the world.
The company has delivered a wide range of solutions for organizations such as Veremark, Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission [NIMC], telcos (MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9 Mobile), financial institutions (United Bank for Africa, Interswitch and Union Bank) and more, enabling them and their customers globally to seamlessly create, verify and access trusted digital identities and services.
Seamfix’s key achievements include the successful development of a digital solution enabling widespread access to National Identification Numbers (NINs) for more than 100 million Nigerians.
Seamfix also supported Nigerian telecommunications services providers, to register and verify a database of over 200 million Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) to comply with Nigerian Communications Commission regulations.
Seamfix currently works with major telcos across Africa (Nigeria, Côte D’Ivoire, Liberia, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau and more) on their SIM registration, verification and linkage to national identities. Thousands of fintechs and SMEs rely on Seamfix’s verification APIs for KYC checks during customer onboarding and employee background checks.
Seamfix’s digital credential platform has also transformed the credential issuance and certification process for multiple universities across Africa, powering them to issue instantly verifiable credentials and transforming the process of certifying credentials such as student transcripts and other official documents from over 6 months to a matter of days.
This transformation has also been responsible for more than 2,000 per cent growth in internally generated revenue at these universities.
Telecom
MainOne Restates Commitment to Powering West Africa’s Digital Ecosystem, Repairs its Submarine Cable
MainOne, an Equinix Company, has concluded the repair of its submarine cable following an outage which occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
Working closely with regional partners, maintenance providers, vessel owners, and permitting authorities, MainOne completed the necessary repairs to its submarine cable system, thanks to the diligent efforts of all stakeholders and has resumed regular operations with the utmost integrity of its submarine cable.
During this period, MainOne provided restoration capacity and rerouted traffic on its network to minimize the impact on its customers.
Funke Opeke, the Managing Director of MainOne, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support through the incidence, “We are immensely grateful for the support and collaboration of our partners, the patience of our valued customers, and the unwavering commitment of our team during this outage”.
MainOne’s resilience in the face of the recent outage demonstrates the company’s commitment to its customers and the region’s digital transformation.
Federal government has said that it will fully utilise potentials of the satellite technology by harnessing its benefits to advance national development.
Mr Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Technology, stated this at the inauguration of the 28th Meeting of the AFI Satellite Network Management Committee (SNMC), recently in Abuja.
According to Keyamo, satellite technology offers myriad of solutions to address complex needs of the nation’s aviation sector from enhancing air traffic management systems to improving weather forecasting capabilities.
“By leveraging these capabilities; we can enhance safety, increase efficiency, and unlock new avenues for growth and prosperity. I stand before you with a deep appreciation for the transformative power of satellite technology.
“In a world that is increasingly interconnected, satellite networks serve as the backbone of modern aviation, enabling safer, more efficient and more sustainable air travel.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has set for itself priority areas for the transformation of the nation. These priority areas are focused on improved livelihood, economic outcomes, harnessing human resources and fairer and safer playing field,” Keyamo said.
He said that aviation has been identified as an enabler of growth, considering its role as a catalyst for economic growth and security of the nation as regards its benefits.
The ministry, he said, launched an ambitious agenda to develop the aviation and aerospace sector in the country.
According to him, the ministry aims to create a safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation system that supports economic growth, job creation and national security.
“Our strategy includes – modernising our airports and air navigation infrastructure; developing a robust aviation safety and security framework, encouraging private sector investment in the sector, building a skilled workforce and promoting research and development.
“In order to achieve our goal, we have recognised the pivotal role satellite technology is to play. The ongoing AIS Automation project, that is to provide AMHS to our ATM system, relies on the VSAT network.
“Nigeria is also upgrading its multiplexers to NETPERFORMER in accordance with Conclusion 27/04 of the 27th SNMC meeting held in Accra in 2019″.
The minister said the effort was part of various projects aimed at improving safety and efficiency of aviation in the country that were highly dependent on satellite technologies.
According to him, the committee’s role is vital in promoting the development and use of satellite technology in the aviation sector to ensure safe and efficient management of satellite networks in the region.
“I urge you all to continue working together to harness the full potential of AFISNET. Let us collaborate by coming up with network concepts and topologies that will assist in achieving relevant ATM operational requirements;
“Also ensuring the continuous operation of AFISNET to meet the AFI and global CNS/ATM plans; addressing the challenges of spectrum management and interference; promoting international cooperation and knowledge sharing.
“Also by deciding on the type and level of service to be provided by the network,” he said.
Keyamo said commitment to harnessing the power of satellite networks was for convenience and a strategic imperative that underpinned collective aspirations for economic growth, social development, and global competitiveness.
He urged members of the committee to forge a cohesive and resilient satellite network ecosystem that would empower the aviation industry to soar to new heights.
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