Report says Android is responsible for 79% of mobile malware
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Another form of malware steals the mobile Transaction Authentication Number (mTAN) that banks send via SMS to validate mobile transactions. In the wrong hands, this can lead to the draining of your account because the with the mTAN, a request for funds seems genuine. There is some hope; the report noted that extra security prompts when downloading Android 4.2 should help reduce the threats. Some of these threats enter your Android phone through the installation of an app. For example, an app that promises to improve your battery life could be ready to rip you off by collecting information on your phone including its unique IMEI number.
The report notes that 79% of all threats were related to Android in 2012, up from 66% during the previous year. Symbian was targeted for 19% of malware threats last year, down from 29% in 2011. It's quite a reversal since 2010 when Symbian was the target for 62% of all malware atacks and Android was the target for just 11%. But that is what happens when you go from a small share of the smartphone market to becoming the leader, and vice versa.
But another report says that F-Secure's numbers overstate the problem by counting Android test-tools as malware. The problem is that these tests can show up looking like a threat. Another problem is that the report doesn't show if these threats came from an app downloaded from the Google Play Store or from a third party where the apps might be more open to malware. So keep that in mind as you think about the numbers from F-Secure.
source: F-Secure, VentureBeat via eWeek
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68 Comments
1. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:13 12
This is nonsense! I still haveent had a problem with malware! Wtf!?? Could they stop making things seem worse than what it really is?
21. gmracer1 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:19 6
I've also never had a malware problem. Look at who wrote this article, though ;-)
25. Mxyzptlk posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:40 6
Denial of it doesn't erase the fact that malware on Android is a big problem.
35. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:46 2
99% of people that get malware are getting pirated apps that are infected.
45. wendygarett posted on 07 Mar 2013, 17:35 4
Take a look at the graph #1, ios6 and iPhone5 launched hit all time high of malware :)
50. gmracer1 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 18:27 2
Mxy, you're an idiot.
If it's such a 'big' problem, then tell me why I--and every Android owner I know--have never had a malware problem. Tell me why I have not ever had a single customer complaint about malware issues.
51. Mxyzptlk posted on 07 Mar 2013, 19:09 3
Again denial does not erase the issue. As you can see above the stats and numerous articles about malware do not lie.
52. UrbanPhantom posted on 07 Mar 2013, 19:49 1
He probably writes malware infested apps, so of course he won't admit the truth ;o)
53. syedzain posted on 07 Mar 2013, 20:36 0
I read a recent post saying problems occuring with s3,.. i think its the malware but i am not sure.
28. akki20892 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:50 4
Android From Malware's Family...........lol.......!!!
65. Tarzan posted on 08 Mar 2013, 12:40 0
Better be safe than sorry. My laptop never got infected with a virus but I still have an antivirus installed, so is my android phone.
2. p5yb0rg (unregistered) posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:15 1
Google broaden the distribution of Jelly Bean to more devices, not just flagships. Hopefully this should help reduce these numbers.
6. Orbitman posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:22 3
isn't that the Android manufacturers' responsibility, not el Goog's?
7. Commentator posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:23 8
79% of an extremely small number is still an extremely small number.
9. andro. posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:27 9
As soon as i saw this article heading i knew there was bigger than 79% chance it was written by Alan F.
I ve yet to have a customer come instore the victim of an app virus,they may exist but only those with vastly modified apps and rom are those generally at any risk
31. UrbanPhantom posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:14 2
You're probably already hacked, and just don't know it...
36. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:47 2
If you don't download random apps off the internet doubt you will ever get a virus.
11. sum182 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:35 10
Yea, boy am I glad windows isn't open source, and or they would have a ton of malware, viruses, spyware...... /sarcasm
32. UrbanPhantom posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:16 0
The difference being that Windows desktop OS users already know enough to take precautions, where as most Android users are still in denial, and thus leave their devices open to attack...
47. sum182 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 18:08 2
Permissions get shown to you before the install of any app, even third party ones. I install 3rd party all the time, have ever since the og incredible, and have only ever ran into 1 app that was pure malware, and could tell very easily by the crazy permissions.
Permissions should always be checked, even from apps in the play store. I've said no to popular apps before because I didn't like all the information they wanted access to for no reason. Imo iPhone should do this too so it's users know what the developers get access to. Wasn't there an issue with app store apps getting people's contact lists? If a permissions page is shown people could've seen they took that information. Just better protection of your data
56. jroc74 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 23:35 0
Really? So....are you trying to tell me ppl that get infected on Windows has dropped over the years to the point they dont get infected at all now?
Wow....
Installing security on the desktop...vs installing it on an Android phone. Checking permissions on an Android phone. Does Windows has check permissions?
Again....wow.... I'm sure Windows users still get hit with browser hijackers, home page hijackers, search engine hijackers on a daily basis. Even if it isnt malicious....many desktop users dont pay attention when installing apps and leave the boxes check that ask to install McAfee, PC Mechanic, Norton, Ask search engine, etc.
37. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:47 3
Oh man my Linux is open source it must have so many viruses...
27. akki20892 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:48 1
Symbian was open but it has 0% of malware.......!!! because operate by nokia
42. Commentator posted on 07 Mar 2013, 17:00 3
Did you even read the article? Back in 2010 (I.e. the last time it was even remotely relevent) Symbian had 62% of the malware. It may have 0% malware now, but within 3 years it will also have 0% of the entire smartphone market share. Congratulations.
64. Tarzan posted on 08 Mar 2013, 12:33 0
I'm glad we both read the article then. Cause if you agreed to Symbian having 62% of the malware issues in 2010 then you are also accepting that Android has the same percentage in 2012.
67. akki20892 posted on 10 Mar 2013, 20:21 0
even more in 2013 tough.......
59. rusticguy posted on 08 Mar 2013, 04:05 0
Perhaps you haven't used LINUX on server ever ... Malaware friendly WINDOWS on web has fallen to 13% share :)
4. Synack posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:17 11
Show me someone with malware and I'll bring you six unicorns, 3 bigfoots, and the legendary Lochness monster.
5. Commentator posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:21 2
Be careful what you wish for, because it obviously exists.
8. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:26 5
Yea but exist like they say it does?? I don't think so man
24. Ruckus posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:28 1
Xperia-Knight brings up a good point. It does exist, working in the wireless Industry I do see it, but as of late its been incredibly minimal. Android may not be the most secure but its becoming more and more secure daily.
10. haseebzahid posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:31 0
that is effing scary article any way everyone knows hackers never rest
13. UrbanPhantom posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:46 3
So Android is basically infested by a ton of malware? Who would have guessed?
WP8, iOS, BB-10 haters can say what they like, but a closed garden is also a secure one. Android has it's virtues, but plenty of vices too ;o)
57. jroc74 posted on 07 Mar 2013, 23:40 0
Wait til WP8 and W8 desktops start the seamless experience....
;o)
14. ecuafer posted on 07 Mar 2013, 13:49 8
Malware will always attack the platform that has most users.
39. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:50 3
Don't think IOS is free from problems either. Especially if your jailbroken and download stuff not from 100% safe sources.
58. haseebzahid posted on 08 Mar 2013, 02:00 0
if you jailborken something its out of OEMs line of use u cant say that for any jailbroken moblie with any OS
68. ecuafer posted on 12 Mar 2013, 22:36 0
In PCs Windows has more threats than MacOS or any Linux distro, because Windows has the most users. And trust me that if Ubuntu Touch is successful it will be the platform with more malware.
15. rusticguy posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:08 6
And yet on four Android devices at home we haven't had any instance of malaware.
16. darkkjedii posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:09 2
Well look at it this way. Largest market share, largest amount of malware. Makes sense to me
17. papss posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:10 2
Agree with you ecuafer. Its obvious why most would target android, same with windows os
18. papss posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:12 2
Rustic guy just because YOU don't get them doesn't mean its not happening, clearly it is and for obvious reasons (its the largest)
60. rusticguy posted on 08 Mar 2013, 04:08 1
I come from WINDOWS World where desktops get screwed every second and read on win forum that with win 8 there were also cases where guys couldn't get rid of virus despite formatting .... So we have learn how to be safe from these malaware so have none. Model can be replicated for sure :)
19. Whateverman posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:14 4
"But another report says that F-Secure's numbers overstate the problem by counting Android test-tools as malware. The problem is that these tests can show up looking like a threat. Another problem is that the report doesn't show if these threats came from an app downloaded from the Google Play Store or from a third party where the apps might be more open to malware."
So not all of these are actually malware? That's good, now if we all just read our permissions before downloading, we'll be okay.
23. pixelado posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:21 3
This right here folks.
If a Live Wallpaper asks for calls and messaging among other permissions, would you think that's okay?
If so, you're better off using a locked down platform, or asking someone who might know better.
40. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:50 2
Root your phone and deny all apps permissions that don't need it = win.
66. firelightx posted on 09 Mar 2013, 00:56 0
Heck, even then... most responsible carriers give you the ability to block premium messaging, which prevents these sort of charges. Asking your carrier to put this block on your account will nullify most of this malware immediately.
Furthermore, it's to Android's benefit that they're able to keep you appraised of what an app can or cannot do. We hear about malware from time to time on Apple, (such as that time when Pandora decided collecting personal information was a good idea - they did it to Android, too)
The difference is, those who pay attention on Android were able to boycott the app until Pandora finally wisened up, whereas Apple fans were completely blindsided when it finally made news.
20. darac posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:15 5
Okay, AND??
It has 75% of market share!
How much malware percentage do you expect??
22. JunitoNH posted on 07 Mar 2013, 14:20 0
Really!!!! headline should had read, don't conduct sensitive business on Android devices.
61. rusticguy posted on 08 Mar 2013, 04:10 0
Yup much like don't conduct bsensitive work on WINDOWS OS :)
29. bucky posted on 07 Mar 2013, 15:25 2
I still believe its an issue on android but to say its 79% and the way this is titled is definitely feeding the hundreds of android trolls that dominate this site.
33. UrbanPhantom posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:19 4
Take your medicine, and admit the truth: Android is malware!
41. HDShatter posted on 07 Mar 2013, 16:51 2
Android is malware and IOS is cancer. Malware can be fixed atleast.
