Google Android Market malware problem escalates
Summary: Researchers at Lookout Mobile Security have again nabbed variants of the DroidDream malware family in the Android Market.
Google's inability to keep malware-laden apps out of the Android Market continues to be a source of embarrassment for the fast-growing mobile operating system.
Researchers at Lookout Mobile Security have again nabbed variants of the DroidDream malware family in the Android Market. This time, the company found four different Android apps published by a developer named “Mobnet.”
[ SEE: Malware sneaks by Google's Android Market gatekeepers ]
The infected applications include:
- Quick FallDown
- Scientific Calculator
- Bubble Buster
- Best Compass & Leveler Note: There is legitimate application that has a package name similar to that of Best Compass & Leveler. The Trojanized application capitalizes the package name (i.e. com.gb.CompassLeveler), while the legitimate application does not (i.e. com.gb.compassleveler).
According to Lookout, the malware was available in the Android Market for a short period of time so the number of downloads was limited to 1000 – 5000.
Google has since removed the malicious apps but it is clear the company needs to implement some rudimentary malware checks before an app is made available in the Android Market.
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Talkback
Clearly they don't care. They haven't even offered up a plan
This will be Amazon's strength.
When they release a tablet, Amazon's curated Market is just another reason the Amazon tablet (if/when it appears) will not be a "Google" branded device with Google services.
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
I think that the platform bears some responsibility, no different than steps take to try to make Windows more secure.
don't worry that's just FUD
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
com.gb.CompassLeveler (trojanized)
OR
com.gb.compassleveler (legitimate)
What's an ordinary user to do? This is TOO easy for the miscreants. Why on earth (or anywhere else in Google's mapped universe) hasn't Google implemented case-insensitive naming for apps in the Android Market. At least Windows, being case-insensitive, would force the miscreants to misspell, or add characters to, the name of the trojanized app. For example, com.gb.compassleveleripwnu.
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
because only lame and ignorant people don't know that in Linux casing is important unlike windoze. They get what they deserve!
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
If you give a "Scientific Calculator" permission to send SMS's, i'm sorry more fool you.
Closed systems...
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
The problem is Apple's method of control is far to much. Their control limits the capabilities of the device way below that of a dumb phone in some scenarios.
A clear example is simply the inability to create groups to organize your contacts. That's available on majority of dumb phones from the 1980s :O
iPhone 3GS user hear ;)
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates
RE: Google Android Market malware problem escalates