Android Malware Ping!
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Posted on 02/04/2015 1:37:16 AM PST by Swordmaker
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Malicious Google Play apps (may have) hosed millions of Android handsets
Android users need to read this article. . . your phone may be infected and you may not know it. It may take weeks before the malware raises its head and releases its malicious payload. Specific apps are listed.
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IQ test? Not much chance of me downloading that one :)
Thanks for the info. I’ve not downloaded any of them and have an antivirus on the phone, but will share the info with friends.
One can download AVAST on their device and update daily or weekly for anti-virus signatures - while the app scans your device for malicious crap like this. Just like a computer, one must take steps to keep the device clean of infection.
Maybe bring back those old WWII posters telling sailors and soldiers to use protection from STD’s - now we can called DTD (Digital Transmitted Disease) AH!
Or... One can use a platform where viruses just aren’t a problem.
I only saw 3 apps mentioned. Is there a full list somewhere?
I have an android phone and the other day (when I was on the Instapundit site btw where I’ve never had any problems) I got a pop up that told me my device might be infected because I had visited “adult” sites.
Yeah, right. That trick won’t work on a little old lady like me.
I freaked out of course, couldn’t get rid of it or get off the page or anything. So I re-booted the phone and that worked.
So, what I want to ask you is how do I put an antivirus on my phone?
Every OS has the potential of infection...even Apple’s iOS....yes, it is true that Windows has seen the high number of infections...and now Android using Linux....but in the end it comes down to how aware is the user and what, if any, device security is in place...
Trojan is really missing an opportunity here to license its name...
Bumping for all to see.
I think I’ll keep my simple little Tracfone. I don’t think it even has an OS.
There’s a substantive difference between “potential”, involving concerted effort under controlled conditions to achieve anemic results for academic purposes, or rock stupid users taking extraordinary measures to bypass significant security barriers, vs. “prolific”, where most normal users must take significant active measures to instantiate security to compensate for gross neglect thereof by the operating system.
When your anti-virus measures are arguably worse than the viruses themselves, take the hint.
I have a Note that I use primarily as an ebook reader. I suspect Google could afford to do a little better QA on apps in it’s ‘play store’. Luckily for me, I don’t install games or other crapware on my device, though I’m seriously looking at rooting it just so I can set up a better SSH server.
I foolishly installed a malicious app on my Nexus 7. It’s called android 5.0.2
I may have to do a “factory reset”. Version 4.4.4 worked great.
“Or... One can use a platform where viruses just aren’t a problem.”
If you are suggesting there is such a platform you haven’t been around computers much.
Groan...giggle...
iOS.
OS X.
And I’ve been pretty much living on computers since before the ZX-80.
Insofar as viruses are conceivably possible on Apple’s operating systems, they are a practical non-issue. (The rare “see? SEE? Apple products aren’t immune to malware!” instance is invariably, as I noted prior, either little more than an academic exercise or rock stupid behavior by users.) Virus scanners are pointless on iOS & OS X, while they’re a vital necessity on Android & Windows.
This is a prime example of why Apple exercises so much “control” over what is offered in the AppStore...
Some decry the control a draconian and limiting...I’ll take limits if it helps prevent this kind of garbage...
http://download.cnet.com/android/antivirus-software/3150-2239_4-0.html
That’s an article on CNET on reviews of anti-virus for Android phones. You should find one there to fit your needs. Good luck.
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