Posted on 04/25/2015 11:51:34 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Bad news, phandroids. Android malware is on the rise.
According to Symantec’s latest Internet Security Threat Report, “17 percent of all Android apps (nearly one million total) were actually malware in disguise.” In 2013, Symantec uncovered roughly 700,000 virus-laden apps.
More than one third of all apps were what Symatec calls "grayware" or “madware” -- mobile software whose primary purpose is to bombard you with ads. The company also discovered the first example of mobile crypto-ransomware – software that encrypts your data and holds it hostage until you pay ransom for it – for Android devices.
How to stay safe
The good news is that it’s pretty easy to avoid infection if you obtain your apps from a trusted source, like the Google Play Store. The company doesn’t break out how many of the 1 million+ malware apps were found in the Play Store, but Symantec’s Director of Security Response Kevin Haley admits the number is probably quite low.
“Google does a good job of keeping malware out of the Store,” Haley says. “And if a malicious app does make it in there, they do a good job of finding it and getting rid of it.”
On the other hand, if you visit alternate Android app markets, download apps from app maker’s Websites, get them via email links, or find them on Bit Torrent sites, you run a much greater risk of infecting your phone, he adds.
Other App Stores
Symantec used its Norton Mobile Insight software to crawl more than 200 Android app stores, downloading and analyzing more than 50,000 apps and app updates each day in 2014.
Most of the malware found by Symantec tries to steal personal data like phone numbers and contact lists, which are then sold on the Internet’s black market, says Haley. Some may cause your phone to send text messages to premium SMS services, automatically adding charges to your monthly bill. Other apps may pelt you with ads that pop up randomly over other applications. Some apps even change your default ringtone to an advertisement, Haley says.
The Android malware problem is greater overseas, especially in regions where users can’t access Google Play and must rely on third-party app marketplaces.
If you see unusual charges on your bill for premium texting services or ads start popping up where you don’t expect them, those are good signs you’ve got an infection, he adds. Your best recourse is to use a mobile security app to scan and protect your phone.
As for iOS? Symantec found a grand total of 3 infected apps in the iTunes store in 2014. Last year it found zero.
“One of the benefits of Android versus iOS is that it gives you a lot more freedom as to where you can download apps,” Haley says. “But that freedom comes with a cost.”
Been a Samsung Galaxy user all the way. Never had a virus,,,ever. Used many apps. Delete the ones that suck. Some are awesome, some suck.
It’s almost like being a grown up,,,
Finally got an iPhone free from my job. Used only for work. Im astounded how clunky it is. A big let down.
iPhone is a great phone, but some people like to be able to customize their phone and the iPhone has a very simple, fixed interface. Android allows heavy customization. Windows Phone sits in-between those two extremes.
My feeling after using both is that the iPhone was revolutionary when it was introduced, but now its the Ford Fusion of phones. It’s ok, doesn’t break, awesome at nothing. Good for average consumers who have basic demands, but there are better choices.
Oddly, the only place I prefer my iPhone is as a telephone. It’s a great combo of size and clarity.
“Let’s see if we can rope somebody into doing an Android list. :-)”
I’d like to be on that ping list if it happens. Btw, how frequent/how many pings a day does your windows ping list put out?
Which iPhone did you get that you find it “clunky”? I used to see people with the large screened Samsung’s when they first came out and thought those were big enough to be described as “clunky”.
I was a devoted Blackberry user for years until they couldn’t seem to keep up with the latest developments. Then, due to family members having them, I went to the iPhone. It really sucked because I had one of the first models of the iPhone 5 which came with a defective battery. Problems ensued when I wanted to just have the dang battery changed, but they wouldn’t do it without me paying to have my screen replaced too. So, just a month ago I had a very difficult time deciding if I wanted to switch to the latest Samsung or go with the iPhone 6. I have zero experience using any of the android type operating systems and couldn’t find the information I wanted to see why it was allegedly so much better. So I went with the iPhone 6. Almost went with the 6 plus, just for the larger screen since I do ALL/EVERYTHING on my hand held device, but the screen was just a bit too large for my liking. Now I’m not so sure I made the right decision since the device ‘freezes’ up for a few seconds at a time every now and again, and I think it would be great to have the option to run a different operating system should I choose to do so, but as far as I know, such cannot yet be done on an Apple product.
IPhone 5. And by clunky, I don’t mean physically. The Galaxy is clearly not as ergonomic for one handed texting, etc because it is so big. I accept the trade off so I get a bigger screen.
I meant the software itself. It never does what I want as intuitively and easily as my android.
And I’ve had it a year. So its beyond the “get used to it phase”.
“More than one third of all apps were what Symatec calls “grayware” or “madware” — mobile software whose primary purpose is to bombard you with ads. “
Of course. People want apps for free, so that means getting the version that pops up ads.
If I want to play I go Apple.
If I want to work I go Windows and Android.
You do realize OSX is based on UNIX.
Thank you. Me too. I can't see what the attraction is. Plus it seems like most of the apps want money.
And I've never thought to get any apps from anywhere other than Google Play.
“...The good news is that it’s pretty easy to avoid infection if you obtain your apps from a trusted source, like the Google Play Store....”
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And THAT is the “take away”...if you want to download an App to an Android phone, only download from the Google Play Store. We each need to stand up for our own cyber security and not do stupid or inadvisable actions.
Not just based on it, OS X is UNIX™, fully certified and licensed to use the trademark. In fact, OS X is the largest selling UNIX™ in the world, outselling every other UNIX™ by about 10 to 1.
You have something wrong still. There should be no stuttering of freezes on an iPhone. They are known for their smooth operation. Check for a running app in the background that may be taking over the system. Even that should not happen. Are you anywhere near an Apple Store? If you are, make an appointment with the Genius Bar and have it checked.
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