Save your Androids: first trojan spotted in the wild
By Luciana on August 11, 2010 | Malware, Android, Android trojan, mobile security, mobile malware, mobile trojan, smartphone security
If there's the Android OS on your phone and your bills started to skyrocket, you may have the first Android trojan. The incredibly popular OS made by Google couldn't be left out by cyber criminals. What's the hype about and how can you avoid the mess?
The first trojan for Android Smartphones is called Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer-A. It poses as a video player and it has to be installed manually. There's no information if the app works as media player, but one thing is for sure: it sends SMS to premium rated numbers stealing your money this way. If your smartphone runs Android and you've recently downloaded new player, take a close look at application permissions. You may have accidentally allowed the trojan to do whatever it likes without your consent. That's right, Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer-A functions quietly and the only noticeable effect is a huge bill.
Since the permissions of all the programs have to be approved by user during installation process, you better read the small font and ask yourself, why would a video player need to make phone calls and send SMS messages? Avoid the program that look suspicious. Google also advises installing only those apps that you trust, if you choose to get them outside the Android Marketplace.
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