Over 60% of Android Malware Hides In Fake Versions of Popular Apps 111
An anonymous reader writes "Like any popular platform, Android has malware. Google's mobile operating system is relatively new, however, so the problem is still taking form. In fact, it turns out that the larger majority of threats on Android come from a single malware family: Android.FakeInstaller, also known as OpFake, which generates revenue by silently sending expensive text messages in the background. McAfee says that the malware family makes up more than 60 percent of Android samples the company processes."
Re:How does an expensive SMS make them money? (Score:5, Funny)
Premium messaging services. Like those "text "joke" to 55555 for a joke of the day" ads on TV or donate-via-text things. The carrier pays them, and tacks that charge onto your bill.
Hmm.. The malware dials a premium number, and the carrier charges you and sends the money to the holder of that premium number. If we could just track down who that is, we could find out just how much ill-gotten gains they've received. If there was just a way to identify them.
Re:Not a problem iOS users have. (Score:2, Funny)
Android is living in a ghetto.
Honest question:
Does describing Android this way make you feel better about your iPhone purchase?
--Jeremy