Number of Android malware continues to grow - Tecmundo

(Image Source: Playback / TudoAndroid)

first quarter of 2013 was marked by premieres in Android malware that add complexity to the threat landscape to the operating system. According to the latest Mobile Threat Report produced by the lab F-Secure, which was seen during the first distribution of threats of Android unrealized through applications via spam email, the first attacks designed to Android and first blow of fraud on prepayments.

number of new families of mobile threats and their variables remained high an increase of 49% compared with the previous quarter – increased from 100 to 149. Of these, 136 (91.3%) were Android and 13 (8.7%) for Symbian. The figures for the first quarter of 2013 more than doubled compared to the previous year in the first quarter of 2012, when 61 families and new variables were discovered.

new techniques for Android are a concern, says Sean Sullivan, Security Advisor Labs at F-Secure. “Imagine this: until then I had no reason to worry about Android from my mother, because she just does not use applications. Now I have a reason to worry because with cases like Stels, malware for Android is also being distributed via spam, and my mom accessing your email on the phone, “he explains.

Trojan for Android, known as Stels, began to be distributed via fake emails with subjects of the U.S. Internal Revenue, using a crimeware kit for Android that steals sensitive information from device and earns money by performing connections to premium numbers. This example of commoditization of mobile malware “can change the rules of the game,” said Sullivan.

The first quarter also verified the first attacks designed the mobile space. Tibetan human rights activists have been targeted with emails containing an attachment infected by malware for Android, and a so-called “coupon app” with a coupon for a chain of popular cafeteria that steals information from mobile country codes with South Koreans.

Mobile devices have been targeted in India, as evidenced by the first fraud prepayments for Android. An application for Android with a fake “job offer” in India informs the user that is being considered for a position in an Indian multinational group. To schedule an interview, the application requests a refundable security deposit.