Android Malware Apps get official attention …

Recently there’s been some concern about malware in the Android Marketplace. Hackers have been repackaging legitimate Android applications with spyware embedded and resubmitting them, causing mobile devices to be infected with malware after download. Here’s some official words from Linda Liu, Global Marketing Director of the mobile security firm NetQin, on the steps Google is taking to combat the trend:

Recently, a new spyware named “DroidDream” causing privacy leakage was found on Google’s Android Market. The spyware was embedded in repackaged legitimate applications and uploaded to the Android Market by the developers “Myournet”, “Kingmall2010” and “we20090202”. Mobile devices will be infected after download. Google has removed more than 50 infected applications from Android Market and remote deleted the infected apps downloaded to the users’ devices to prevent further spreading of the malware. Even though Google has taken a series of control measures in the wake of the event, there seems to be a need for more to be done.

Liu goes on to remind users that they should always be cautious about downloading apps to their phone and only rely on trusted sources or stores and marketplaces with solid reputations. Users should also always check reviews, ratings and developer information before downloaded. But Liu isn’t giving the app stores and carriers a free pass either:

On the other hand, carriers, app stores and download sites should take effective measures to protect users from risks beforehand…

In the end, however, users are the last line of defense, and the devil is in the details. Users can get more information from the attached press release, and stay tuned here at Android Community as we’re following the situation closely and will advise of developments as they occur.

— Recently, new spyware that causes privacy leakage was found on Google’s Android Market. Named “DroidDream”, the spyware was embedded in repackaged legitimate applications and uploaded to the Android Market by the developers “Myournet”, “Kingmall2010” and “we20090202”. Mobile devices will be infected after download. Google has removed more than 50 infected applications from Android Market and remote deleted the infected apps downloaded to the users’ devices to prevent further spreading of the malware.

The bombardment undoubtedly has something to do with the open nature of Android Market. As Android Market is providing more than 200,000 applications for users all around the world, it also allows almost anyone to upload apps as long as they register. Given such a situation, Android seems to be a double-edge sword that caters to the demands of the vast number of users as well as attracts a bundle of virus authors.

Even though Google has taken a series of control measures in the wake of the event, there seems to be a need for more to be done, warned NetQin Mobile Inc., a global leader in mobile security services.
On one hand, users should always be cautious whenever downloading an app to their phone, downloading applications only from trusted sources, reputable application stores and markets. Users should always check reviews, ratings and developer information before downloading. On the other hand, carriers, app stores and download sites should take effective measures to protect users from risks beforehand.

As a leading mobile security service provider, NetQin not only provides anti-virus services in SaaS model to protect mobile users from the latest security threats, but also cloud scan services built on cloud computing technology to help app stores and download sites scan and verify all uploaded applications to ensure that no security threats are embedded. The Mobile Market of China Mobile has deployed NetQin Cloud Scan to protect their users from potential security threats.

More than that, the proprietary “Cloud + Client” double engine enables NetQin to identify mobile security threats much faster and respond to security threats within 24 hours. The cloud scan detects and monitors threats at the user end and the carrier’s gateway as well as the download site app stores, and then reports to the server for analysis, the result of which adds to the most comprehensive security repository and this in return increases the virus detection ability. Essentially, the larger the user base, the more contribution to the virus database, the stronger service ability, and vice versa.

NetQin Mobile Anti-virus for Android is FREE to download at: http://www.netqin.com/en/antivirus/ or from the Android Market.

About NetQin

Founded in 2005, backed by Sequoia, Mayfield, Fidelity and Ceyuan VC, NetQin Mobile Inc. (referred to as “NetQin” hereafter) is a global leader in mobile security services, delivers proven mobile security solutions based on a cloud-computing model, including anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spam, privacy protection, data backup and recovery, as well as data management – to more than 70 million users in more than 200 countries and regions worldwide – to protect them against mobile security threats.  As the market leader in mobile security, NetQin holds 67.7% market share of China mobile security market (2010 Whitepaper on China Mobile Security Market by Frost & Sullivan, January 2011), and has received multiple industry awards and honors, including Technology Pioneer 2011 by the World Economic Forum, and the 2009 China Frost & Sullivan Award for Mobile Security Market Leadership.
For more information, please visit http://www.netqin.com.