“Developers often complain about the hoops Apple makes them jump through to get their wares into the iOS App Store. But the company has its reasons — besides its 30% cut of the revenue — and one of them was illustrated by the warning issued Friday by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3),” Philip Elmer-DeWitt reports for Fortune. “‘The IC3 has been made aware of various malware attacking Android operating systems for mobile devices,’ it begins. ‘Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher.'”
“Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware,” P.E.D. reports. “Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out email. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user’s device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device’s phone number.”
P.E.D. reports, “FinFisher is a spyware capable of taking over the components of a mobile device. When installed the mobile device can be remotely controlled and monitored no matter where the Target is located. FinFisher can be easily transmitted to a Smartphone when the user visits a specific web link or opens a text message masquerading as a system update.”
Full article with a slew of “safety tips” for Android smartphones, here.
MacDailyNews Take: The FBI forgot one. Here’s the best safety tip of all: Don’t settle for a cheap knockoff, get a real iPhone.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Researchers discover serious flaw in Android app security, say HTC and Samsung ignore issue – September 28, 2012
Apple’s iPhone has passed a key security threshold – August 13, 2012
Android permissions flaw allows eavesdropping, data theft, location tracking – December 2, 2011
Massive HTC Android security flaw leaves security expert speechless – October 2, 2011
Apple’s iOS unaffected by malware as Android exploits surge 76% – August 24, 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
Ziiiing!
This looks like a job for Joe Friday! Daaaah-Dah-Dum-Dum-Dummmmmmmb…
Does the IC3 do this for Windows-based scams, too, or is Android special?
The Android environment is a cesspool of malware, just like Wondooze. Both require diligent use of malware protection. And crossed fingers.
Where are Edward, Patrick et al now… What no comments on how great Android is …, anyone using Android is just plain STUPID… If there was no alternative that would be different….there is absolutely no excuse for using this buggy, fragmented, infected garbage.
The one that masquerades as a system update is DOA as everyone on android knows their device will never be updated 😉
Android – Heir apparent of Microsoft’s incompetence.
Aside from the security problems with Fandroid, most of these phones just have crappy LTE and HSPA + speeds.
I’ve been checking online speed tests on the same network simultaneously with various Fandroid phones and the iPhone (5th iteration) consistently draws better numbers on ping, download and upload.
I know there is an article up on the web today that claims the inverse is true, but it’s bullshit IMH experience.
Android hackers will be the best advertising for Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV and iPod touch).
Don’t worry people. The Google OS is FREE!!! Think of all that you are saving when you buy Google crap.
Must really suck to be an Android owner. No wonder the loyalty rate is almost non-existent.
Apple/iOS users unaffected.
1
Oops, a designer guy who I accompanied to the Hong Kong Electronics Fair last weekend, was wondering at the show why there were several copies (mockups) of his products even they are not even out yet.
This morning I got an email saying:” I had my phone checked and they found something called FinFisher, dunno where I got it but it allowed somebody to access my design file folder. Do not use any Android phone with my folder in it!”
I will have my Androids checked too, they are for testing purposes only, but still. It’s relatively easy for some factory to create Android site with malware trap in them, and while visiting them they will ask you to look at their “secret factory site” and BOOM! your secrets are now their secrets too.
And why doesn’t CNBS harp on this all day long, like they did with Antenna gate and Maps gate. I have used iOS6 maps on my current trip to NC and they are great on my iPad. Honolulu where I live now has 3D.
Gupta have stopped posting here, so maybee his andriod crap got infected 🙂
We can only hope.
One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out email.
I’m sorry, but anyone that greedy, lazy, and stupid deserves to get hacked. One has to wonder what such a person could possible have worth stealing.
——RM