A user logs on to the WeChat service on a smartphone in Boao, Hainan province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's three major telecom operators have teamed up to control a new software virus targeting mobile phones that use the Android system.

The new virus, identified on Saturday, steals personal information via junk text messages.

Telecom operators have managed to intercept over 10 million text messages carrying the virus.

The government's internet watchdog estimated at least 100,000 users have been attacked.

Police have arrested the programmer of the virus, who is a college student.