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onehandle

(51,122 posts)
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 07:11 PM Feb 2012

Report: Android malware up 3,325% in 2011

During 2011 there was an ‘unprecedented growth’ of mobile malware attacks, with Android up a stratospheric 3.325 percent, according to a report by the Juniper Networks Mobile Threat Center.

The report makes depressing reading. Across all platforms, mobile malware attacks are up 155 percent, with mobile malware samples increasing from 11,138 in 2010 to 28,472 in 2011. BlackBerry malware grew by 8 percent, and Java ME saw a 49 percent increase. But the platform hit hardest was Android, with malware increasing by an incredible 3,325 percent in a year. During the last six months of 2011, Android malware samples had increased from 400 to 13,302.

Spyware was the most popular Android malware, accounting for 63 percent, while 36 percent were premium rate SMS Trojans. Another 30 percent could obtain location information without user consent and 14.7 percent had the ability to make calls behind the user’s back.

The report also notes that malware is becoming more sophisticated, with malware like Droid KungFu using encrypted payloads to avoid detection and Droid Dream disguising itself as a legitimate app.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/report-android-malware-up-3325-in-2011/18449

All Things Google Are The Fertile Grounds of Hacking and Tracking.

Google 2012 = Microsoft 1990s.

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Report: Android malware up 3,325% in 2011 (Original Post) onehandle Feb 2012 OP
Umm... targetpractice Feb 2012 #1
android is a browser like firefox, yes? does it not have add ons like FF does? how does msongs Feb 2012 #2
No, it is an operating system like Windows or OSX (Apple) Ruby the Liberal Feb 2012 #7
Cool app. UnrepentantLiberal Feb 2012 #11
The iPhone is your safest bet, period. onehandle Feb 2012 #10
I"m not one to bask in the misery of others musiclawyer Feb 2012 #3
I am happy that my toaster works. I don't want to build one. Luminous Animal Feb 2012 #6
been rocking an EVO with root for a year and a half now.. frylock Feb 2012 #4
Android really took off last year. randome Feb 2012 #5
Android sales up 3325% in 2011. n/t PowerToThePeople Feb 2012 #8
The three best selling smartphones in the U.S. last year were all iPhones. onehandle Feb 2012 #9

msongs

(67,441 posts)
2. android is a browser like firefox, yes? does it not have add ons like FF does? how does
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 07:41 PM
Feb 2012

malware get on your phone, by downloading crap just as if you were at home on a pc? ignorant here, not having an internet connected phone yet, but thinking bout getting one for business reasons.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
7. No, it is an operating system like Windows or OSX (Apple)
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 11:27 PM
Feb 2012

Yes, it has a "market" where applications can be downloaded to the phone.

For example - I have a cool one called "key card" that allows me to scan in all of those annoying loyalty cards you keep in a wallet (or on a keychain) for discounts. The stores scan their data off my phone rather than the card. It was recommended to me, and is a cool tool, but for all I know, it could be sending all of my contacts and passwords to the Ukraine or something. Meh.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
10. The iPhone is your safest bet, period.
Sat Feb 25, 2012, 02:16 AM
Feb 2012

Apple doesn't let the carriers and Google load it with crapware.

musiclawyer

(2,335 posts)
3. I"m not one to bask in the misery of others
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 07:41 PM
Feb 2012

I we dont need another flame war here.

But you got to think this is one of the reasons, Iphones are selling so well (and even macs over PCs)

I think the future will be

1. apple for people who dont care about customization and just want their software to work and not get infected, regardless of limits imposed by apple

2. the smaller group that hates control and loves code and tinkering

frylock

(34,825 posts)
4. been rocking an EVO with root for a year and a half now..
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 08:30 PM
Feb 2012

never any issue with malware. the reason i've never had an issue is because i don't install apps unless i need them and know they are legit. some people will just troll the market installing every free app available.

 

randome

(34,845 posts)
5. Android really took off last year.
Fri Feb 24, 2012, 08:55 PM
Feb 2012

So throwing a number out there doesn't really tell much. I mean, 3000 percent of a miniscule number looks more frightening in print than the reality.

And there is no system that is immune to malware. Not one. The Internet, by its very nature, will always be 'leaky'. You can't have a foolproof system that keeps only 'bad' people out and yet be open to the world.

It's impossible.

This sounds like fear-mongering to me.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)
9. The three best selling smartphones in the U.S. last year were all iPhones.
Sat Feb 25, 2012, 02:10 AM
Feb 2012

iPhones sweep list of 2011's best-selling smartphones in U.S.

Apple's current iPhone models were the three best-selling smartphones in America in 2011, with the iPhone 4 beating out the legacy iPhone 3GS and new iPhone 4S to become the biggest seller of the year.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/23/iphones_sweep_list_of_2011s_best_selling_smartphones_in_us.html

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