One of the biggest reasons I switched from Windows to a Mac all those years ago was OS X’s supposed immunity to malware and viruses. I’ve quickly discovered throughout 2012, however, that my Mac isn’t as safe on the Internet as I’d been led to believe. A new report from antivirus experts Sophos today highlights that.

The company’s Security Threat Report 2013 declares 2012 to be the year of “new platforms and changing threats.” Hackers are switching their focus from Windows to other platforms, including Mac OS X. Today’s biggest target, however, is Google’s Android platform.

Lookout has announced a new partnership with Orange that will see its mobile security software pre-installed on Android devices that are sold by the carrier throughout Europe. France, Spain, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom will be first to get the software in early 2013, and more countries will be added throughout the year.

We’re always hearing about possible Android malware and whether or not it’s simply FUD, we’re here to report it and remind you of the common-sense ways of protecting yourself. The latest Android malware scare comes to us from security research company NQ Mobile. According to NQ Mobile, their research has uncovered a new UpdtBot malware application file that is disguising itself as a system upgrade. NQ Mobile reports more than 160,000 Android users have been affected by UpdtBot and that it is spreading via SMS messages. Once installed, UpdtBot registers a remote Command and Control (C&C) server, which instructs the infected device to send text messages, make phone calls, and download and install apps.

There are plenty of anti-malware companies trying to scare the bejebus out of Android users, but Google wants to remind us that they have plenty of tools to keep malware at bay. Today Google revealed their automated scanning service, aptly named Bouncer, that constantly scans the Android Market for potentially malicious software. The Bouncer performs a set of analyses on all applications, new or old, as well as developer’s accounts. Hiroshi Lockheimer, VP of Engineering, explains the process over on the Google Mobile Blog: