Android’s reputation as a nest for malware isn’t likely to heal anytime soon, thanks to a new report from Symantec.
According to the security company’s research, Android is still the main target when it comes to mobile malware writers, but iOS is technically a more vulnerable platform.
You can just feel the snark.
Most of Apple senior executive Phil Schiller’s tweets are about music he likes, but today he decided to share a a new F-Secure report with his 67,000+ followers about the rise of Android malware. Schiller’s comment: “Be safe out there.”
iOS is widely considered the most secure consumer mobile platform in the world. And although it’s definitely susceptible to hacks, the amount of malware on iOS is a tiny blip on the radar (less than 1%) when compared with Android’s 79% lion’s share of mobile malware in 2012.
The latest App Report from research firm Appthority has found that free apps downloaded onto iOS devices are more likely to collect your personal data than free apps downloaded on Android, with 60% of the top ten App Store downloads sharing data with advertising and analytics networks.
The report suggests that due to the volume of titles in the App Store, iOS developers are more likely to collect your data and pass it on as an alternative revenue stream.
There’s no two ways about it, malware is a major problem for Android users. You may be someone who’s never been subjected to it, you may have the know-how to detect and remove it — and that’s great — but millions of other users are affected by it every year. During 2012, one leading security firm reported more malware threats for Android than it did for Windows.
The biggest threat to Android users, according to mobile security firm Lookout, is “toll fraud” — malicious apps that are designed to quietly send premium rate text messages from your handset without your knowledge. Chances are you’ll know nothing about it until you receive your monthly bill — then you’ll have a small fortune to pay in charges.
Android’s built-in malware scanner can’t be completely trusted just yet.
With its Android 4.2 Jelly Bean upgrade, Google provided its users with extra protection by introducing an extended malware scanner that’s designed to prevent malicious applications from making their way onto your smartphone or tablet. Not only does it scan the apps you download from Google Play, but also those you acquire from third-party sources, such as Amazon’s Appstore.
It gives Android users peace of mind. The only problem is, new research has proven that the feature is largely worthless. When Google’s malware scanner was put through its paces, it was able to detect just 15.32% of malicious apps.
