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"Bill Shocker" Malware Controls 620,000 Android Phones In China
Orome1 writes "A new discovered malware is potentially one of the most costly viruses yet discovered. Uncovered by NQ Mobile, the 'Bill Shocker' (a.expense.Extension.a) virus has already impacted 620,000 users in China and poses a threat to unprotected Android devices worldwide. Bill Shocker downloads in the background, without arousing the mobile device owner's suspicion. The infection can then take remote control of the device, including the contact list, Internet connections and dialing and texting functions. Once the malware has turned the phone into a "zombie," the infection uses the device to send text message to the profit of advertisers. In many cases, the threat will overrun the user's bundling quota, which subjects the user to additional charges."
Upon further reading the infection vector is infected pirated Android apps sold/distributed in black market Android marketplaces. Cry me a river folks.
"Bill Shocker downloads in the background"
Not really true. You have to install an infected app to get it started.
No sig today...
It's more likely than you think!
So it's just like this article, then?
Let me guess... you have to manually install an apk from an untrusted source?
bickerdyke
the also unsurprising factor is that this is happening in China, where the same responses for how to prevent this have been sent every week:
download things from official trusted sources only.
"At times like these, I'm happy to have a Windows Phone."
Ok... but what about all the rest of the time? I was given an HTC 8x at work and asked to research the platform.. trying to use it as a daily driver and its just so frustrating coming from Android. You never realize how important a thriving app ecosystem is until you try to live with WP. I can deal with the wonky notifications and the limited "live tiles" vs widgets.. I guess. But looking through the app store is just depressing.
-Lod