FBI Issues Android Virus Warning 129
Dupple writes "The IC3 has been made aware of various malware attacking Android operating systems for mobile devices. Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware. Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out email. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user's device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user's address book and the infected device's phone number."
Re:Yet another excellent reason... (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.slashgear.com/apple-quietly-turns-on-ios-6-iphone-advert-tracking-12251611/ [slashgear.com]
Re:*sigh* Another worthless virus alert (Score:0, Informative)
Did you even read the article? They talked a lot about attack vectors... They also went on to tell people how they can protect themselves.
I'd assume downloading an antivirus for your phone or reformatting it would be the best option.
Re:*sigh* Another worthless virus alert (Score:5, Informative)
Did you even read the article? They talked a lot about attack vectors... They also went on to tell people how they can protect themselves.
I'd assume downloading an antivirus for your phone or reformatting it would be the best option.
They didn't talk about attack vectors AT ALL, except in the vaguest of terms. They talked about generalities that apply to any platform, not to this specific virus. It's the equivalent of saying "don't set your drink down in a crowded bar." Yes, it's good advice, but at the same time almost completely worthless to put into a press release.
Re:Which Android? (Score:5, Informative)
Even if they don't, let's be honest, the people spending money on Android "superphones" are exactly the people who're rooting, installing ROMS and sideloading. The rest, the much vaunted millions activations per are the people having slow Gingerbread shitboxes rammed down their neck by the retailers and networks that might have a passing interest in something that's "just like an iPhone" but that interest dies as soon as they try to use it and it's slow, jerky and has shit battery life. This is precisely why the web impression figures are so dramatically different between iOS and Android.
The Galaxy S III sold around 20 million units worldwide, I'm having a hard time believing that all of those users are rooting their devices. I have a Galaxy Nexus that isn't rooted (nor have I sideloaded any apps).
Android phones are definitely good for someone that wants to tinker and root and sideload, but they are also solid smartphones out of the box.
I support around 250 devices - split relatively evenly between Blackberry, Android and iPhone. These users are mostly non-technical, and all seem fairly satisfied with their phones, including the Blackberry users (battery life and tight Exchange Integration are the big reasons the BB users are happy with their phones).
Starting with Gingerbread the Android platform stopped causing support headaches (mostly in Exchange syncing), ICS and Jellybean seem to put Android on par with IOS for the most part.
Re:*sigh* Another worthless virus alert (Score:5, Informative)
Re:*sigh* Another worthless virus alert (Score:5, Informative)
None, same way there are none for Android. including the malware included in the OP. If it doesn't propagate of it's own accord then it isn't a virus it's just a malicious app AKA malware.
The OP mentions that "website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user's device" this is currently impossible unless there is an explain that is currently un-discussed and if there was such a thing it would be _very_ important, if (as I suspect) this is just another download-this/manually-install-the-app/accept-all-the-permissions/become-screwed idiot-trap then it is hardly news. And BTW there are plenty of these types of app for a jailbroken iPhone