Close to One Million Android Apps Infected with Malware

How many Android apps include malware? If you ask Symantec, it's close to one million, or 17% of all of those that are available. Typically, they are designed to try and steal the personal data of users.

According to the report, there was a 26% increase in infected apps between 2013 and 2014 and around 317 million in 2014 alone. Many (around a third) admittedly are grayware or madware which don't harm the device, but can track behavior for advertising purposes. Not only is it annoying and intrusive, but the information gathered by these types of apps is listed for sale online to marketers and advertisers.

Unfortunately, however, many of the apps are riddled with malware which can do harm to the device, hold data for ransom (ransomware), or trigger premium service text messages.

There are some ways to avoid acquiring malicious apps.

• Never sideload. This means to download them from locations other than the official app stores. These stores perform extra checks to try and keep these types of programs out of their stores. Although they don't get all of them, they do conduct additional security checks and therefore lowers your risk of getting a bad one. 

• Install anti-malware on mobile devices. There are many options, so do the research and find one that works for you. Keep these apps updated as well.

• Always keep the device operating systems updated. Often times, hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities that are not patched. Therefore, as soon as one is made available, download and apply it. 

• Make sure you are using a trusted network when using mobile devices, particularly if you are performing financial or other sensitive transactions. If a wireless connection is open and available for use, it doesn't mean it's safe. Cyber criminals will often sit and wait in public places waiting for people to connect and then quietly collect data off their devices, or wreak some other havoc. In some cases, the users may not know what has happened until it's too late.

• Pay attention to warnings that appear stating a link may be unsafe. They pop up for a reason.

• And finally, don't jailbreak your device. This just opens up a whole new can of worms and may make your device even more vulnerable.

And iPhone users shouldn't get too comfortable about security in those apps either.  While rare, there still are malicious apps for Apple devices and increasingly hackers are developing apps that target them. Most recently an app, XAgent, was found that targeted government and military organizations using individuals a pawns. Late last year researchers discovered WireLurker. This installs fake versions of legitimate apps without the user noticing and steals personal information such as email messages and phone logs.