Android Trojan virus, I think I’ll keep playing in Apple’s garden

by Justin Horn on Aug 10th, 2010 @ 10:37 am

ReadWriteWeb:

Purporting to be a harmless media player application, the Trojan, once installed, actually sends out SMS text messages without the users’ knowledge or consent.

The Trojan penetrates Android-based smartphones disguised as an ordinary application, says Kaspersky. Users are prompted to install a small file of around 13 KB that has the standard Android extension .APK. But once the “app” is installed on the device, the Trojan bundled with it begins texting premium rate phone numbers (those that charge). The criminals are actually the ones operating these numbers, so they end up collecting the money via charges to the victims’ accounts.

Yes, some of the drawbacks of Apple’s walled garden do suck, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. As mobile phones and devices act more and more like our old school desktop, the risk for virus increases. This is only going to get worse.

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