Firstly the easiest way to keep your phone safe from the virus is to avoid getting one in the first place. Generally the malware comes from installing dodgy apps from unknown sources. Try to stick to Google Play for all your apps and you will decrease your chances dramatically. You can also try to avoid opening any suspicious looking messages.

Android uses Hangouts as its default messaging app which will automatically process media messages without you even toughing your phone. This obviously gives you no say in whether to not open a suspicious message. This means that one of the best ways to avoid catching a virus might be to change the default messaging app.

To do this, the simplest way is to go into your phones settings, under the More tab in Wireless and networks you should find a default SMS app. If Hangouts is selected as this default, change it to Messaging, Messages or any other app you prefer.

You can also go into the Hangouts app itself and change these settings and disable SMS. To do this simply go into the options of the app and deselect the Auto retrieve MMS box. Some other messaging apps may also require this box to be deselected.