New Android Malware on the Prowl
With Android being the OS of 3 out of 4 smartphones in the world, it is no surprise that hackers and other cyber criminals are targeting Android devices. The recent news is that a new type of malware has been released on the World Wide Web. Security agencies are still unclear as to who the makers of this malware are.
But they did confirm that the malware can cause a lot of damage if ignored. On the same note, demand for Android developer training is still on the rise, in spite of the fact that Android is in the firing line of almost every single cyber criminal.
Android Express’s Play – A Fake Android Market Used to Spread the Malware
Apparently, the hackers are using a fake Android market similar to the Google Play Store, to spread the malware. They have named it the Android Express’s Play.
This is an ingenious method of spreading the malware considering the fact that Android users are always on the lookout for new apps. A study showed that more than 60% of the Android users have tried an app without a valid security certificate from Google. This alone shows the vulnerability of Android users.
Malware Targets Personal User Information
Symantec was the company that first discovered this malware. The company’s security response team has had the time to extensively study the malware. According to initial reports, the malware is targeting the personal information of the affected users. Android users are required to be logged into their Google accounts at all times.
This information is being misappropriated by the malware initially. Down the line, it will access other information like usernames and passwords of social media accounts, bank accounts, etc.
Malware Seems to Be Surprisingly Efficient
The security response team from Symantec added that the efficiency of the malware is a cause for concern. According to initial reports, the fake store, Android Express’s Play, has been visited more than 3000 times between Jan 13th and Jam 20th, 2013.
This was the time when the malware came to be discovered. Using the number of visits to the fake Android store, the security team estimated that anywhere between 75,000 to 450,000 pieces of information can be stolen in this time frame.
Tips to Secure Yourself
- Try not to click on links that you receive from anonymous email accounts
- Try to avoid friend requests from anonymous social media accounts
- Download security software from any of the leading mobile security vendors and keep it activated at all times