“Looking back at 2011, we could call it subtitle it as ‘The Year Of Android Malware,'” Dan Rowinski reports for ReadWriteWeb.
“Juniper says there has been a 472% rise in Android malware samples since July 2011,” Rowinski reports. “Juniper says that almost all of the Android malware contains code for root access that will force the device to communicate with a command-and-control server and download additional instructions. 55% of Android malware acts as spyware and the rise of ‘SMS Trojans’ has become a significant problem.”
Rowinski reports, “October and November have seen the highest growth rates for Android malware samples since the rise of the platform, according to Juniper. The number of samples grew 28% in September, October had a 110% increase over September and a 171% increase from July 2011… Spyware with root access is the main threat from malicious Android applications. Juniper notes that the vulnerability to root access from malicious apps is prevalent in 90% of Android devices in the consumer market. Outside of spyware, the SMS Trojan makes up 44% of Android malware.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Juniper advises Android phone settlers to install anti-virus software.
We advise getting a real iPhone.
You know, the one you really wanted before you settled for an insecure knockoff of an Apple original from the 21st century’s Microsoft.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Karla S.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Android security threats surge with infected ‘Angry Birds’; iPhone and iPad users unaffected – November 15, 2011
Apple’s iOS unaffected by malware as Android exploits surge 76% – August 24, 2011
McAfee: Google’s Android number one in malware – August 23, 2011
Android malware records phone calls; iPhone users unaffected – August 2, 2011
Symantec: Apple iOS offers ‘full protection,’ Google Android ‘little protection’ vs. malware attacks – June 29, 2011
Malware apps spoof Android Market to infect Android phones – June 21, 2011
Google forced to pull several malware-infested apps from Android market – June 8, 2011
Android malware sees explosive growth; even faster than with PCs – April 27, 2011
Virus-laden apps infest Google’s ‘open’ Android platform; iPhone unaffected – March 3, 2011
Security firm warns of new Android trojan that can steal personal information; iPhone unaffected – December 30, 2010
Trojan infects Android smartphones; iPhone unaffected – August 10, 2010
Millions of Android phone users slammed by malicious data theft app – July 29, 2010
Unlike proactive Apple, reactive Google doesn’t block malware from Android app store – June 4, 2010
Malware designed to steal bank information pops up in Google’s Android app store – January 11, 2010
One word, regulation.
Wall Street has shown how well that works.
Skipping the whole more vs. less government argument, just because there are regulations does not mean a determined sociopath (lawyer, banker, hacker) won’t find their way around the regulations if there is money to be had.
One of my friends used to have an Android phone, in fact she originally bragged about its Googley-ness. Now she has an iPhone 4S. She mentioned how her previous phone started getting slower, then started behaving strangely, which was part of why she got rid of it – sure hope she didn’t do any of her banking on it! She seems much happier with her iPhone, and thinks Siri is great.
The functionality gap continues to widen, question is why are people buying these rubbish phones?
The simple fact is that the carriers are giving them away. Literally. People for various reasons (Cheap, broke, etc.) will almost always look for the cheapest thing of a particular category, be it cell phones, car, kitchen appliances, etc, to save a buck.
While I agree that being thrifty can save you significant money in the long run, the opposite can also be true. Either way, the simple fact is that people will look for the cheapest thing out there and convince themselves that it’s just as good. From my experience, those who’ve switched from BB or Android to iPhone have been very satisfied.
Your arguments are in need of a refresh. AT&T is also giving away the iPhone 3GS. Literally.
Tell me again how much malware is in the Apple app store? I thought so. Now given the choice between a free iPhone 3GS and a free Android phone I know which one I would choose. Besides the 3GS gets the latest iOS 5 update. How many free Android phones will be getting ICS?
Yeah, and I’ll bet we’ll see a significant change in market share between iPhone and Android because of that simple fact. Which go toward proving JoeCanadian’s point.
——RM
Well… yes, but the upfront cost of the phone isn’t really that big a deal (the $60-80/mo that the contract costs is about a third of the total cost of the phone) So, any one who can afford $70/mo should be able to cough up $200 with out much strain.
Perhaps, if you are talking about a family I see you point buying an additional 4 or even 5 phones for your spouse and kids ($800-1000) is a significant cost as compared a $120/mo family plan.
But I wonder what percentage of new ‘roids go to “add on” phones (non primary) to a family plan.
When people start to give you free things, you have to question their motives. There are many examples: banks send you free credit cards with initial zero interest; office boys and taxis drivers give you free stock tips; Google gives you free lunches; banks advise you to mortgage your fine home to get loans from them to buy more properties; the list goes on and on.
The moral of the story: There’s no such thing as a free lunch
Penny wise and pound foolish.
B-b-b-but…my screen is BIGGER!
The Lumina 800 from Nokia with Windows Mango just hit the U.K.
Black background, neon colors and a free XBox 360 with every phone purchase.
Go Man go. They’re selling like snotcakes.
This is funny. Did anyone actually read the article? You don’t need antivirus software on your Android device — all you need is to not respond to unsolicited text or email offers that look very suspicious.
True. As much as I’d love to gloat about the “plague of malware” on Android phones, it seems to affect only three types of users:
1) Users in countries where the Android Market is not available.
2) Users who install apps from third-party sources.
3) Idiots who click on links in obviously suspicious emails.
In other words, if you use an Android phone like you use an iPhone, downloading all content from the approved store, you’ll probably be okay. (Except… every now and then a bad app does get onto the official store.)
——RM
I have two exceptions to that… weren’t there several occurrences this summer of (seriously bad) malware being loaded via apps on the official store? (because goolge are free and open and don’t vet apps???)
AND, isn’t that supposed to be “the big feature” that you can get software from anyone and not just from google’s “walled garden” (turns out they are some man eaters out there in the open jungle eh freetards?)
Yes there was malware that made it into the official android maket. Google removed the apps and remotely wiped the malware from any phone that installed it. Not exactly a warm and fuzzy feeling but they did respond.
Sure you can use other stores, but you need to go in and turn on “unknown sources” or you wont be able to install any APK packages that are not from the official market.
Some of thier claims in the article are incorrect. There is no way 90% of phones out there have a root access exploit. Im into rooting droids and for most of them it takes the full android SDK and plugging into a computer to root, if its even possible a lot of phones have no known way of rooting.
I think there should be caution but i wonder which AV vendor is paying when i see major misinformation like this.
@Rick: A reasonable point. Since these are Trojans, careful user behavior may well be enough to remain clear of catastrophe.
However, there are rampant LUSERS out there that have not-a-clue about how to keep their devices secure. As a result, there is already an accelerating PLAGUE of Android malware. Worst of all, Google are not adequately responding to the problem, which only further encourages the hacker rats.
Members of The Walled Garden: Sit back, relax and enjoy the apps. 😎