A security firm named Dasient studied 10,000 applications for Android smartphones and found that more than 8 percent of the applications are transmitting personal user data to unauthorized computers. This form of malware is designed to take control of a user’s smartphone. For instance, eleven of the malware-filled applications automatically sent text messages to entire contact lists, much like email spammers taking control of another account. If a user pays for SMS messages rather than an unlimited plan, it can easily rack up charges without any interaction from the user besides downloading the application.
Dasient CTO Neil Daswani also stated that the amount of infected applications has doubled over the last two years. It’s also possible that users are unknowingly installing malware when visiting a site. These efforts are called “Drive-By Downloads” because the user isn’t installing anything on purpose, but rather surfing or “driving-by”. This occurred earlier this year when a malicious website advertised cheats for the extremely popular mobile game Angry Birds. Another attempt happened last month with malware masking as Angry Birds add-ons.
The lack of regulation in the Android Market puts a portion of the blame on Google. While developers don’t have to put up with the long wait times of the Apple App Store approval process, the price of this freedom comes at the user’s expense. Without even the most basic security screening to make sure the application is free of malware, Google may watch the Android Market become riddled with more malware if the growth rate continues to rise over the next two years.
Beyond personal user data, the malware often leaks the IMEI number (specific to the phone) and the IMSI number (specific to the subscriber). With this information leaked to unauthorized servers, the SIM card in the phone can be cloned easily by the recipient or the data is likely sold in bulk to illegal organizations that create cloned phones.
Lack of app design regulations is resulting in a lot of malware infections via apps that are free and often used as back doors to capture data – deliberately!!!
"8 percent of the applications "
Yeah, show us your proof or we are not going to believe you for a second.
"These efforts are called “Drive-By Downloads” because the user isn’t installing anything on purpose, but rather surfing or “driving-by”."
Its also not possible on Android, since you are always asked if you want to install something and what permissions that something wants. Just say no to strange permissions.
"Another attempt happened last month with malware masking as Angry Birds add-ons."
Which is strange since Angry Birds does not have addons.
"The lack of regulation in the Android Market puts a portion of the blame on Google. "
First you need to prove there is a problem, and this isn't just FUD – then you need to explain how a free market should be regulated in America.
The story keeps on going.. Witb a headline and body change. Get over it appleheads. You just have to hate on android all the time.
I love it when people try and make up for the deficiencies of others. I love the google market because it is pure free-market. as with any free market, it requires the consumer to not be a complete imbecile. two principles have served me well, do research before any potentially volatile purchase (i.e. an app that has the potential to leak personal info), and avoid anything that sounds too good to be true, because it is. I have never had an anti-virus program on my computer, and by living these principles I've never had a virus that I was aware of in the last 15 years.
Lack of app design regulations is resulting in a lot of malware infections via apps that are free and often used as back doors to capture data – deliberately!!!
Gah i wanted to get a Galaxy Tab 10.1 but i’ll just get a iPad and jailbreak it Safer that way
boycott android. Google should also follow tough protocol for android app store like Apple.