Malicious Apps Brought Ad-Clicking 'Judy' Malware To Millions Of Android Phones (fortune.com)

An anonymous reader quotes Fortune: The security firm Checkpoint on Thursday uncovered dozens of Android applications that infected users' devices with malicious ad-click software. In at least one case, an app bearing the malware was available through the Google Play app store for more than a year. While the actual extent of the malicious code's spread is unknown, Checkpoint says it may have reached as many as 36.5 million users, making it potentially the most widely-spread malware yet found on Google Play... The nefarious nature of the programs went unnoticed in large part, according to Checkpoint, because its malware payload was downloaded from a non-Google server after the programs were installed. The code would then use the infected phone to click on Google ads, generating fraudulent revenue for the attacker.

Comments

Android malware is profitable for Google and mfrs.

[Futurepower(R)]

Android malware causes Google and Android phone manufacturers and phone service providers to make more money. Most people don't have the time or technical ability to deal with issues, so they buy new phones.

Google arranged that Android cannot reliably be updated to its latest version. That pro-malware destructiveness is profitable.

Google needs better management. The company is rapidly getting a bad reputation, partly also because of tracking internet users. Why should Google know if I visit my bank account?

My opinions.