Only 20 per cent of Android owners use security apps: Trend Micro

One in five Android device owners use a security app, despite increasing number of malware targeting them.

That is what Trend Micro has found in its Security Roundup Report for Q3 2012, with malware targeting Andoird increasing six times during the three months ending September.

Android malware increased from approximately 30,000 in June to almost 175,000 in September, with “aggressive adware” being the key culprit in Android privacy attacks.

Trend Micro CTO, Raimund Genes, says these aggressive adware apps are capable of collecting more personal information than the user has permitted.

“App developers may even be aware of the problem, thanks to the existence of rogue ad networks,” he said.

As for the huge increase in mobile malware, Genes says it does not come as a surprise, especially considering that Android is the dominant smartphone platform.

“The digital underground reads the statistics and analysts reports as well, and they figured out way to make money with mobile malware,” he said.

“And unlike your computer, getting information from your phone also reveals your location, the phone numbers you have called, and more, all which could be sold.”

However, despite the growing threat of malware, Genes says that only 20 percent of Android owners use a security app on their device.

“Users need to understand what permissions apps seek, before approving them and unintentionally sharing sensitive information,” he said.

• Bookmark this page
• Share this article
  •  
  • facebook
  • slashdot
  • digg
  • Reddit
  • stumbleupon
  • linkedin
  • twitter
• Got more on this story? Email ARN
• Follow ARN on twitter

• Share
  Share this article1

  •  google+
  • facebookfacebook
  • slashdotslashdot
  • diggdigg
  • RedditReddit
  • stumbleuponstumbleupon
  • linkedinlinkedin
  • twittertwitter
• print
• email
• Bookmark