"Bill Shocker" Malware Controls 620,000 Android Phones In China 138
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."
Re:Happy to have a Windows Phone (Score:4, Interesting)
"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.
Re:Android attacks are indicators (Score:3, Interesting)
Android is not a "Linux variant". Android uses a Linux kernel, but it's not a Linux distro. It most certainly is not an established, trusted distro, such as Debian, Suse, or Redhat.
Various dope smoking fools, working for various companies have rolled their own flavors of Android, seldom consulting with real Linux enthusiasts. Each and every manufacturer rolls his own dope-soaked version of Android, then alters that dopey version to suit the whims of the telcos that are actually purchasing them.
If Android is a Linux distro, then BlackXP, available via torrent, is a valid Windows release.
(Note that I've actually used BlackXP inside of VM's - it's actually pretty solid, but it's damned sure not Microsoft!)