GOOGLE has given Android users a new spam-catching feature that alerts users of when they may have received a dangerous text.
The tech giant already has suspected spam caller warnings as part of its mobile service Google Voice.
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But Google has now added spam text warnings, for free.
According to cybersecurity giant Kaaspersky, consumers who click on links in spam text messages can inadvertently download malware onto their devices.
Or, they can be directed to malicious websites.
“In some cases, users respond to the texts, letting the sender know the phone number is in use and vulnerable,” experts wrote.
“Cybercriminals may then follow the original text with phone calls that attempt to scam the owners.
“Spam texts that phish for gullible victims are relatively new, but they are certainly here to stay.
“Be prepared with the right knowledge and protection.”
To work against these cyber crooks, Google Voice will show a red exclamation sign where a profile avatar should be if the text message appears risky.
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The message preview will also begin with “suspected spam” in a matching colour.
Android owners are then able to choose two next steps:
- “Confirm a suspected spam message, which causes future messages from that number to go directly into the spam folder.”
- “Mark a labeled message as not spam, after which the suspected spam label is never displayed for that number again.”
Google is rolling out this feature to all Android users in the coming weeks.
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