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SMS Trojan Steals From Android Owners

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the no-way-i-wanted-hott-sexx dept.

siliconbits writes "A Trojan posing as a media player for Android smartphones automatically sends text messages to premium rate numbers, according to Kaspersky Lab. Company officials say the Trojan, dubbed Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a, is the first of its kind for the Android platform, even though SMS Trojans are currently the most widespread type of malware on mobile phones."

1 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Is this really a trojan? by lowrydr310 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    What about the apps that are locked and won't let you remove them?

    I'm referring to the Sprint NFL app, Sprint TV app, Sprint NASCAR app, HTC Footprints, and Amazon MP3 store app on my HTC EVO.

    I don't want these apps, I don't need them, and I should be allowed to get rid of them on this "OPEN PLATFORM" Android device, but I can't until Froyo is rootable. Maybe I could live with them if they didn't do anything, but they seem to be constantly starting on their own even when I don't initiate anything; I stop the processes, and they start again shortly afterward. I don't even know if they're sending data, but I'm guessing they are.

    I wonder how likely or possible it is to bundle malware with some of these custom ROMs. Just because a ROM is popular and has a dedicated following doesn't mean the author didn't include a hidden process that's collecting tons of personal data. Should I take the tinfoil hat off now, or is this a realistic possibility?