“The number of malicious apps mobile security firm Lookout has identified in less than six months has doubled to 1,000, according to a report from Lookout,” Elinor Mills reports for CNET. “The vast majority of those dubious apps are found on third-party app stores and alternatives to the official Android Market, the company said.”
“Lookout also has detected a rise in the amount of what it calls “mobile pickpocketing,” apps and malware that surreptitiously charge fees to the phone owner, including GGTracker, which signs phones up for premium text message subscription services without the owner’s knowledge,” Mills reports. “There’s also the RuFraud apps that pose as free versions of wallpaper or popular games but hide terms of service that allow the developers to sign the phones up for expensive SMS rates.”
Read more in the full article here.
BBC NEws reports, “Google has removed 22 applications from its Android Market after they were discovered to contain fraudulent software. Apps posing as popular third-party software such as Angry Birds tricked users into sending premium text messages.”
“Unlike some other app services, Android Market apps are not vetted prior to being added to the store,” The Beeb reports. “Lookout, a mobile security company based in San Francisco, believes the fraud attempt originated from Russia. After notifying Google of the 22 affected apps, Lookout said it then identified five more apps running the so-called ‘RuFraud’ scam.”
The Beeb reports, “The scam would make a user believe they were about to download a game or program, but instead they were giving the phone ‘permission’ to send a text message costing about £3.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “David Andrews” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Android permissions flaw allows eavesdropping, data theft, location tracking – December 2, 2011
You bank on your pretend iPhone? Are you nuts?! Android malware up 472% since July – November 16, 2011
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
of course. successful and unchecked- why wouldn’t malicious programmers go full tilt?
Yes, “open” is MUCH better!
Beyond my understanding how any Android user could implicitly trust a system nicknamed “Droid”. Haven’t these people seen the Matrix???
According to David Hannum, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”, which was falsely attributed to PT Barnum.
Cool & hip transcend safe and consistent until they reach about age 26 or so.
And by then you’ve contracted a nasty infection you can’t get rid of.
It is so comforting to know I don’t have to worry about viruses and malware on my new iPhone. I’ve saved for 5 years to buy one with cash (I had to pay off my debts first, thanks Dave Ramsey) and it’s nice to know my purchase won’t be bricked if I download the wrong app.
In only 3 months I became debt free and purchased my new 4s with cash thanks to Dave Ramsey! He’s da bomb!
#openasinbuttcheeks
This should be the basis for an TV commercial by Apple … and makers of virus-detection software.
“Open” wide…
You beat me to it. Android is indeed wide open, from behind.
BUT IT IS OPEN!
Butt it is open?