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Android Botnet Infects 1 Million Plus Phones

Posted by timothy on from the click-here-to-download dept.

Trailrunner7 writes "Up to a million Android users in China could be part of a large mobile botnet, according to research unveiled by Kingsoft Security, a Hong Kong-based security company, this week. The botnet has spread across phones running the Android operating system via Android.Troj.mdk, a Trojan that researchers said exists in upwards of 7,000 applications available from non-Google app marketplaces, including the popular Temple Run and Fishing Joy games." Update: 01/19 12:54 GMT by S : Changed summary to reflect that these apps didn't come from Google Play.

4 of 92 comments (clear)

  1. Excellent fact-checking as usual by Macthorpe · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.zdnet.com/new-android-malware-infects-100000-chinese-smartphones-7000000497/

    Not in Google Play at all.

    --
    "It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him." - Tolkien
    1. Re:Excellent fact-checking as usual by SternisheFan · · Score: 5, Insightful

      http://www.zdnet.com/new-android-malware-infects-100000-chinese-smartphones-7000000497/

      Not in Google Play at all.

      Thank you! These 7000 plus apps were 3rd party apps that were not downloaded from Google Play.

    2. Re:Excellent fact-checking as usual by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Doesn't that imply that if Google-Play/Android was a walled garden like iPhone/iTunes this would not have happened?

      Um, no.

      Just because China Mobile's (cr)app store isn't doing its job doesn't mean Google should become as draconian as Apple in this regard. People have a choice, and if they are willing to download from a poorly regulated source, and are willing to endure infections just so they don't have to pay for their apps, that's their business. I certainly hope their data plans are unlimited.

    3. Re:Excellent fact-checking as usual by Nerdfest · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The price of Apple's walled garden is that they get to define what is malware. (So far, things like apps to teach children how to program, games that are too 'political', porn, Android magazines, etc). I'll take my chances, thanks.