A host of new malware attacking Android phones has been uncovered. If your company hands out those devices to users, it’s time to take some protective action.
Google recently pulled more than 50 malware-infected apps from its Android Market. The apps included Trojans that reportedly install malicious code on the victim’s phone and allow remote orders to control the device.
Malware has attacked Android devices before, but most instances were found in apps hosted by third parties, rather than Google’s own marketplace.
For a list of the bad apps, navigate here.
To help avoid malware attacks on Android phones in the future, here are some tips from PC World for IT departments and users:
- Always research unknown application publishers before any of their software is installed.
- Read online reviews. The user-submitted ones in the Android Market may not be helpful — it’s better to check for reputable sources online to see what they have to say.
- Always check app permissions. Each application will have a set of rules regarding what information it’s allowed to access. In general, apps should only have access to data they need in order to run. For example, if an alarm clock app is configured to access your contact lists, that might be a bad sign.
- Avoid installing Android package files (.APK). Those are apps that can’t be found in the Android Market and must be installed directly from third-parties. In general, those apps are more prone to malware.
- Use a virus scanner. As the number of mobile malware attacks increases, these are becoming more necessary, and more vendors are offering useful apps.