14 December 2011
While one hand giveth Android 10 billion downloads, the other taketh away with a thousand malicious apps.
The number of Android apps containing malware has doubled to 1,000 in the last six months, according to mobile security firm Lookout.
The company's recently released report "Malwarenomics: 2012 Mobile Malware Predictions" stated: "2011 has seen the emergence of a credible field of Android malware with a 4 per cent yearly likelihood of an Android user encountering malware, which was a significant increase compared to the beginning of the year. In the beginning of 2011 we measured a 1 per cent yearly likelihood."
The company, however, has indicated that the majority of the malicious content is found on third-party apps and other alternatives to the official Android Market.
Regardless, Android users have found themselves with a growing risk of unknowingly clicking on links that can lead to malware and phishing sites.
The report added: "The global yearly likelihood of an Android user clicking on an unsafe link is 36 per cent (6 per cent higher than July 2011). In the United States, the likelihood is higher than the global average at 40 per cent."
One such example is the recent outbreak of malicious content nicknamed 'RuFraud' - short for Russian fraud, where the activity appears to have originated.
The dubious apps pose as free versions of popular titles like Angry Birds and Tetris, but once installed hijack the user's smartphone, signing them up for premium text message services without the owner's knowledge.
Ultimately, smartphone users need to be vigilant about what they download. Lookout cautions users against using third-party app stores and clicking on in-app ads.
Smartphone owners should also be cautious when clicking on apps that ask users to click "OK" or on shortened URLs, as well as check reviews on gaming, utility and porn apps before downloading as they are more likely to contain malware.
Android's malware trouble doubles in 6 months
While one hand giveth Android 10 billion downloads, the other taketh away with a thousand malicious apps. The number of Android apps containing malware has doubled to 1,000 in the last six months, according to mobile security firm Lookout.
The company's recently released report "Malwarenomics: 2012 Mobile Malware Predictions" stated: "2011 has seen the emergence of a credible field of Android malware with a 4 per cent yearly likelihood of an Android user encountering malware, which was a significant increase compared to the beginning of the year. In the beginning of 2011 we measured a 1 per cent yearly likelihood."
The company, however, has indicated that the majority of the malicious content is found on third-party apps and other alternatives to the official Android Market.
Regardless, Android users have found themselves with a growing risk of unknowingly clicking on links that can lead to malware and phishing sites.
The report added: "The global yearly likelihood of an Android user clicking on an unsafe link is 36 per cent (6 per cent higher than July 2011). In the United States, the likelihood is higher than the global average at 40 per cent."
One such example is the recent outbreak of malicious content nicknamed 'RuFraud' - short for Russian fraud, where the activity appears to have originated.
The dubious apps pose as free versions of popular titles like Angry Birds and Tetris, but once installed hijack the user's smartphone, signing them up for premium text message services without the owner's knowledge.
Ultimately, smartphone users need to be vigilant about what they download. Lookout cautions users against using third-party app stores and clicking on in-app ads.
Smartphone owners should also be cautious when clicking on apps that ask users to click "OK" or on shortened URLs, as well as check reviews on gaming, utility and porn apps before downloading as they are more likely to contain malware.
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