FBI warns that Android phones are havens for malware

[towboattrash34]

Now here is 1 reason Not to get an S3. I don't need 50.
Besides Android is just boring.

http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/n..._host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US

A division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning to smartphone users about mobile malware and device safety, specifically regarding the Android operating system. A report published late last week the Internet Crime Complaint Center revealed that it has been made aware of various malware attacks, such as Loozfon and FinFisher, that target Android smartphones. Each malware is different and can range from stealing a user’s address book to completely taking over the infected device. The agency notes that Loozfon and FinFisher are just two examples of active malware that are used by criminals and users should take precautions to protecting their devices.

When purchasing a smartphones users should know the features of the device and use protective features such as device encryption and antivirus software to guard personal data. When downloading and purchasing apps, the FBI advises that users not only read reviews but also understand the permissions, such as Geo-location, they are granting the apps. Geo-location is used in applications to track a user’s location mostly for marketing purposes, but it can also be used for malicious purposes such as cyber stalker or burglaries.

The agency recommends that for physical security smartphone owners should consider locking their devices with a pass code and only connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks. Lastly, smartphones should always be kept up-to-date and users should avoid jailbreaking or rooting their devices to avoid greater security concerns.

All in all, users should be using the same precautions on their mobile phone as they do on their computers.

 

[daveathall]

Is a jailbroken iPhone as safe as a non jailbroken iPhone? I ask the question because I don't know the answer.

 

[zbarvian]

Open isn't all that. Google needs to start enforcing a review process, just like Apple. Then we'll get higher quality apps with far less malware. Nobody wants to worry about this garbage.

 

[3bs]

Apparently FinFisher, which is mentioned in that link you posted, can also take control of iPhones. http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/30/iphone-android-malware-finfisher/

Android is definitely not boring and if it is then iOS is more boring.

 

[towboattrash34]

Apparently FinFisher, which is mentioned in that link you posted, can also take control of iPhones. http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/30/iphone-android-malware-finfisher/

Android is definitely not boring and if it is then iOS is more boring.

I can do 100 x more with a jailbroke device than I can with a rooted android device. I had a 10" toshiba thrive tablet rooted,I gave away besides only a couple of themes there is not much to it. With a jailbroke iPad/iPhone there is 100's of tweaks,themes and other stuff u can do. Heck you can take a jailbroke iPod and walk in to a business and hack their servers and they would not know it was you.

And beside that how many diff OS does android have. There is no telling what OS you will have on what device. They need to get their crap together

 

[xuselppa]

In other news, scientists discover humans breathe air.

 

[MRU]

Nevermind the piss fighting please folks. Yes you all have big dongs and no none of you are going to get laid waving them around & bickering about whether iOS or Android is boring



Google do need to do a little housekeeping and vetting on their App store. Yes its good they have the 15 minute return period, but often you realise too late that what you have bought is a turkey, especially if you buy on playstore and send to your device wirelessly, you might not test the application within that 15 minute period.

There is a lot of rouge software, regardless of malware or security risks. There is a lot of software on the Play store that simply is broken, and whilst App Store on iOS can suffer at times, there is nothing like the amount that is on the Google app store.

As a consumer, I actually would like them to vet the goods they sell in their store.


Let me give you an analogy..

If you went into a retail store in your home town and they had a lot of products with great descriptions, that you thought OK i'll buy that.

You went home only to find the box contained nothing but a steaming turd, that you got on your hands when you opened it...

You would expect to be able to 1) return it to the store, even if was after 15 minutes and get a refund, and 2) you would want to know why the store is stocking this crap in a box and not vetting the stock they sold to their customers.

 

[Oohara]

Nevermind the piss fighting please folks. Yes you all have big dongs and no none of you are going to get laid waving them around & bickering about whether iOS or Android is boring

This should be the page title for every single thread on this subforum.

 

[einmusiker]

yawn. enjoy your overpriced 5-year-old software

 

[xuselppa]

Open isn't all that. Google needs to start enforcing a review process, just like Apple. Then we'll get higher quality apps with far less malware. Nobody wants to worry about this garbage.

A review process by Google would be helpful, but not really needed for anyone with a touch of common sense. I mean a flashlight app that has permissions to access your contacts should be a red flag.

 

[zbarvian]

A review process by Google would be helpful, but not really needed for anyone with a touch of common sense. I mean a flashlight app that has permissions to access your contacts should be a red flag.

How about just not letting that crap into the Play Store in the first place? Anti-Virus apps shouldn't exist on a mobile phone, we should be moving past that nonsense. And common sense can only go so far.

 

[smellysox8]

i can do 100 x more with a jailbroke device than i can with a rooted android device

lol@troll

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I can do 100 x more with a jailbroke device than I can with a rooted android device.

That made me laugh. It's actually the other way around.

 

[blackhand1001]

I can do 100 x more with a jailbroke device than I can with a rooted android device. I had a 10" toshiba thrive tablet rooted,I gave away besides only a couple of themes there is not much to it. With a jailbroke iPad/iPhone there is 100's of tweaks,themes and other stuff u can do. Heck you can take a jailbroke iPod and walk in to a business and hack their servers and they would not know it was you.

And beside that how many diff OS does android have. There is no telling what OS you will have on what device. They need to get their crap together

Wow, you are really uninformed. If you think you can do more with jailbreak then you really don't know anything about the difference between open source software and closed source. You literally can change just about anything in android. In iOS your stuff with basic hacks and changing bitmaps. Theres loads of other things you can do like custom roms, kernels, mods and loads of other stuff. I could go on and on but you obivously have your mind set on iOS. Nothing I say is going to change your mind. I do IT work and have dealth with 100s maybe 1000's of phones. I have never actually come across one with an android virus. They just aren't common. No more common than iOS viruses which make it into the store as well.

 

[Vetvito]

FBI warns that Windows is a haven for malware. Sounds about right.

 

[AdrianK]

Heck you can take a jailbroke iPod and walk in to a business and hack their servers and they would not know it was you.

Source?

 

[supervelous]

I REALLY hope for humanity's sake, that anyone who involves themselves in flame-wars about ios vs Android is under the age of 20.


It's OK to say YOU prefer one over the other, but the way some of these posts and new threads are worded, it's clear some people are just trolling. I guess if you're a teen it's OK to be immature, reminds me of Xbox 360 vs PS3.

I probably engaged in some of it myself in the Genesis vs SNES days. Now that I'm an adult, I just buy what I like and don't worry about other people's opinions.

I own a PS3 and Xbox 360, and an S3 and Iphone 5. Although I may return either the S3 or Iphone 5, they're both GREAT phones, love them both for different reasons.

 

[ChazUK]

Managed to stay malware free since 2009 on Android.

No Warez. Always review permissions. Always source apps from reputable developers.

It's not been hard for me to keep safe sticking by those rules. For those who want to save 70 odd pennies or 99 cents to pirate the odd game and get infected, tough luck!

 

[AzN1337c0d3r]

Does anyone actually make a purchasing decision based on the amount of malware an operating system receives? Is that why still ~90% of the market for PCs still belong to Microsoft?

Anyways with some common sense, you can pretty much guarantee you will never get malware.

The choice between Android and iOS for me is mainly about freedom. I carry my phone everywhere, so I expect it to be the most flexible in terms of getting **** done™.

Based on that the IP5 was automatically disqualified when I was looking at using my upgrade.

My use-cases with a tablet, however did not require as much freedoms. I mainly use my tablet as a media-consumption device and Apple's implementation in these areas I felt were slightly superior to Android.

My other use-case for my tablet was use in emergencies as a tethering connection.

The iPad3 w/ Verizon made a happy compromise for me.

 

[zbarvian]

Does anyone actually make a purchasing decision based on the amount of malware an operating system receives? Is that why still ~90% of the market for PCs still belong to Microsoft?

Anyways with some common sense, you can pretty much guarantee you will never get malware.

The choice between Android and iOS for me is mainly about freedom. I carry my phone everywhere, so I expect it to be the most flexible in terms of getting **** done™.

Based on that the IP5 was automatically disqualified when I was looking at using my upgrade.

My use-cases with a tablet, however did not require as much freedoms. I mainly use my tablet as a media-consumption device and Apple's implementation in these areas I felt were slightly superior to Android.

My other use-case for my tablet was use in emergencies as a tethering connection.

The iPad3 w/ Verizon made a happy compromise for me.

There's no reason the Play Store should have any more malware than the App Store. And I'm pretty sure the 85% of the PC market is dominated by Microsoft is due to the relatively high prices of a Mac.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Does anyone actually make a purchasing decision based on the amount of malware an operating system receives? Is that why still ~90% of the market for PCs still belong to Microsoft?

Anyways with some common sense, you can pretty much guarantee you will never get malware.

I've said this before, certain iOS-devotees are really beginning to split hairs for reasons to hate on Android.

 

[zbarvian]

I've said this before, certain iOS-devotees are really beginning to split hairs for reasons to hate on Android.

And Android users are doing likewise to hate on iOS. The argument is two-sided.

 

[onthecouchagain]

The choice between Android and iOS for me is mainly about freedom. I carry my phone everywhere, so I expect it to be the most flexible in terms of getting **** done™.

Based on that the IP5 was automatically disqualified when I was looking at using my upgrade.

My use-cases with a tablet, however did not require as much freedoms. I mainly use my tablet as a media-consumption device and Apple's implementation in these areas I felt were slightly superior to Android.

I am in the same exact boat. I demand more from my smartphone which I carry everywhere and need to do more important things on. That's why I go Nexus.

However, for my tablet usage, it is more leisurely and fun. I go iPad 3. I'm not convinced Android can provide a good enough tablet experience (unless you're strictly looking for an ereader).

And the concept of "freedom" isn't only about customizing aesthetics -- a grand misconception. It's also about customizing the usability of the device so that it's catered specifically to one's needs. Which keyboard, which browser, which default Mail system, which lock screen should load up when you wake the device... all these things make the device uniquely yours.

It's a beautiful thing.

----------

And Android users are doing likewise to hate on iOS. The argument is two-sided.

I'm sure some are, but you're dreaming if you think the fanboys on both sides are equal. The level of blatant obfuscation and the scale of the misconceptions of Android's shortcomings, and the intellectual inconsistencies when it comes to viewing Apple versus the competition is so one-sided for many iOS-devotees that it's laughable.

And worse, it's detrimental to Apple.

You just don't see this sort of fervent behavior as much with Android lovers. Sure, they'll rise up to defend Android when there are blatant mistruths told about their platform, but they seem to talk more candidly, are more forthcoming, and realistic about Android's shortcomings (of which there are plenty). And you don't get this sort of trivial nitpicking you do with iOS-devotees. About how the App Store has more than the Play Store. Or how terrible ads are when they ignore there are paid-options. Or how millisecond-differences in responsiveness is a deal-breaker.

Really, how many times have the words "it just works" been uttered on these very boards (never mind in public by the masses)? Any genuine Apple fan interested in seeing Apple improve should be embarrassed by that phrase.

Hey, if Iphone is better for you, groovy, mate, but you're really splitting hairs when you try to point out why Android is so unacceptable.

 

[zbarvian]

I am in the same exact boat. I demand more from my smartphone which I carry everywhere and need to do more important things on. That's why I go Nexus.

However, for my tablet usage, it is more leisurely and fun. I go iPad 3. I'm not convinced Android can provide a good enough tablet experience (unless you're strictly looking for an ereader).

And the concept of "freedom" isn't only about customizing aesthetics -- a grand misconception. It's also about customizing the usability of the device so that it's catered specifically to one's needs. Which keyboard, which browser, which default Mail system, which lock screen should load up when you wake the device... all these things make the device uniquely yours.

It's a beautiful thing.

----------



I'm sure some are, but you're dreaming if you think the fanboys on both sides are equal. The level of blatant obfuscation and the scale of the misconceptions of Android's shortcomings, and the intellectual inconsistencies when it comes to viewing Apple versus the competition is so one-sided for many iOS-devotees that it's laughable.

And worse, it's detrimental to Apple.

You just don't see this sort of fervent behavior as much with Android lovers. Sure, they'll rise up to defend Android when there are blatant mistruths told about their platform, but they seem to talk more candidly, are more forthcoming, and realistic about Android's shortcomings (of which there are plenty). And you don't get this sort of trivial nitpicking you do with iOS-devotees. About how the App Store has more than the Play Store. Or how terrible ads are when they ignore there are paid-options. Or how millisecond-differences in responsiveness is a deal-breaker.

Really, how many times have the words "it just works" been uttered on these very boards (never mind in public by the masses)? Any genuine Apple fan interested in seeing Apple improve should be embarrassed by that phrase.

Hey, if Iphone is better for you, groovy, mate, but you're really splitting hairs when you try to point out why Android is so unacceptable.

There's no intellectual disparity. Look at any YouTube video that favors the iPhone over an Android device and you'll see it having an overwhelming amount of dislikes, and the comments are like "u suk Android the best". The Android enthusiast argument that iOS is a toy and that we live in the same grid of icons is just as worthless as the cheap iOS arguments.

 

[cynics]

Can someone please post a link to an app in google play that has malware/virus? It's such a huge problem it should be very easy.