Over the past year or so, mobile malware has become an epidemic. Not only that, it’s getting more sophisticated, harder to diagnose and harder to eradicate. But it seems like Google?Androids are attracting malware like nobody’s business.
According to F-Secure labs, the number of threats have skyrocketed so far in 2013. But this year, Android’s malware percentage is?91 percent, up from 79% in 2012. That means of all the mobile device brands, Droids account for 91% of all malware issues. Meanwhile, none were found in Apple or Blackberry; the other nine percent were found in Symbian. Of the malware found in Android mobile, 3/4 of it was made to hack into financial info (debit and credit cards, bank accounts, 401Ks) and take people’s money.
But wait…there’s more. There are suppliers that sale malware to other scammers that specifically target Droids. They convince users to give permission to update data, like Adobe Flash. When the user is hooked, the malware or spyware intercepts and exploits the users banking habits. Why doesn’t Apple have this problem? Because there, 3rd parties can’t get permission to wreck stuff up. With Apple, apps are restricted to what personal info can be accessed. With Androids, anything goes.
In my writings, I try to be unbiased as possible. But it’s hard to be unbiased when reports like this come out. I’m not exactly saying not to buy Androids. But as a consumer, I’m thinking twice before getting my next smartphone. I don’t think I’ll support Droids until at least something is done about this malware issue, and what it can lead to. What can Android do to reduce this malware epidemic?