Android Phone users - beware of increasing Malware from free apps

[jimbo45]

Hi there
It had to happen -- can't think why it took so long.

There's some really nasty malware incorporated into some freely available Android Phone Apps --the main types are those that send out expensive premium text messages without the user being aware until the bill comes out.

I know anybody under about 35 probably doesn't even realize that Mobile Phones actually have a Power Off switch -- but I would suggest if you load loads of APPS onto (into ??) your phone then SWITCH IT OFF when you don't need it or certainly ensure no APPS are running surreptiously in the background without your knowledge.

I'd ensure also that you don't use sensitive online services such as Online Banking on Mobile phones.

The recent "News of the World" phone and email hacking scandal in the UK shows how even encrypted stuff is fairly easy to hack on Mobile Networks.


If you thought Internet Security on PC's was bad enough -- you haven't even STARTED YET with Internet / Wifi on Mobile phones -- especially using ANDROID.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[MrNeeds]

Hi there
It had to happen -- can't think why it took so long.

There's some really nasty malware incorporated into some freely available Android Phone Apps --the main types are those that send out expensive premium text messages without the user being aware until the bill comes out.

I know anybody under about 35 probably doesn't even realize that Mobile Phones actually have a Power Off switch -- but I would suggest if you load loads of APPS onto (into ??) your phone then SWITCH IT OFF when you don't need it or certainly ensure no APPS are running surreptiously in the background without your knowledge.

I'd ensure also that you don't use sensitive online services such as Online Banking on Mobile phones.

The recent "News of the World" phone and email hacking scandal in the UK shows how even encrypted stuff is fairly easy to hack on Mobile Networks.


If you thought Internet Security on PC's was bad enough -- you haven't even STARTED YET with Internet / Wifi on Mobile phones -- especially using ANDROID.

Cheers
jimbo

Hmm, seems that a certain Mr Jobs was correct, first it was flash that suffered an untimely death from mobile OS'es, now it's android's turn, this is what happens when something is open and completely free to mingle with, a lot of people slated apple for having a closed OS but this is the main reason why their OS is closed and policed.

 

[Windows i7 920]

...and my Windows Phone and I shall remain safe in a closed system. I wanted an Android at first, but second thought brought me to a Windows Phone.

 

[exoTron]

I would think that if you have some kind of mobile internet security app (avg - free or kaspersky - i use the second) it safety on Android is not such a problem. I think the official Marked App on Android is closely monitored for malware already - and you can always bypass a "closed system" be it iOS or Windows Phone. iOS has jailbreak - i do not know about Windows Phone.