Users Beware, Android Apps Are Still Reeling Under Malware Threats

The latest malware threat for Android users can be easily avoided.

Time and again we’ve said this, but there seems to be no reprieve from the threat posed by malware for Android users. Most of this has enabled hackers to penetrate into company systems, thereby stealing personal information that also includes your ID, bank account details etc.

It is possible that 1,00,000 to 5,00,000 mobile devices have been affected by this Trojanized App. However, the number by country is 32,500, even less than the minimal number 1,00,000.

Trend Micro

We have repeatedly heard about a malware family called DressCode, which has been on the prowl since April this year, and the causalities from its attack have only increased in recent times, as per this report.

This malware is not only capable of accessing a user’s personal data, but also ensure them a gateway into his/her company’s network.

Over 16.6 million malware have been detected as of August 2016, a 40% leap from detections listed earlier in January

So How Is It Entering Your Devices in the First Place?

As highlighted by Trend Micro, security specialists based out of the US, there are malicious viruses present in Google Play Store, that when downloaded could cause all sorts of problems for the user, putting their digital privacy at stake.

Trend Micro detects this as ANDROIDOS_SOCKSBOT.A and has found at least 3,000 Trojanized apps. Around 400 Trojanized apps were detected on the Google Play store. 

Trend Micro report

The scary part about the malware is the nature in which it can enter your device, making it hard to be detected in the first instance.

They range from the recreational apps like games, skins, and themes to phone optimisation boosters. The malicious code only makes for a small part of the app, making it difficult to detect.

Trend Micro report

How big a Threat in India?

We managed to get in touch with Trend Micro to figure out the current status of DressCode threat in the country, and even though the numbers aren’t big, but users need to be aware of what’s at risk here.

From our data, there are totally 1,101 detection in India. This number could be a rough estimation on the infected devices

Trend Micro Statement

Steps to Prevent Malware Attacks

• Before installing an application, check the reviews and other users’ comments in the Google play page.
• If there is negative reviews, do not install it.
• Check the permissions applied by the application.
• If an application requires more permissions beyond its functionality, do not install it.
• Do not trust third-party apps from unknown/unreliable sources
• Go to Settings on your phone and opt for the ‘Ask before install app’ option given

However, it would be fair to note that the aforementioned apps are no longer available on the Google Play Store. So, the chances of DressCode malware entering your device is next to impossible.

Android is a Threat, What’s Google Doing to Make it Safer

Google uses Bouncer, an automatic analysis system, to check if an App is malicious. In 2015, Google introduced the human review for the submitted Apps. However, malware authors always can find ways to bypass the defence. Compared with other 3rd party App stores, Google play is a much safer place.

Google diligently claims to provide multiple layers of security to Android users with the new Google security services, hardened Android platform, ecosystem security programs etc in its Android Security Report 2015 published earlier this year.

And Trend Micro, somehow, accepts to Google’s inefficacy over the years, but things are surely changing for the good, with respect to safety of Android, the most popular mobile operating system in the world right now.

If at all, Google wants to succeed in walking down Apple’s path with Pixel this year, then a safe and malware-free Android ecosystem is the first that they need to achieved.

Also Read: Google to Launch New Phones on 4 October; So Long, Nexus?