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Meet Android.Bmaster, the latest malware app to plague Android users

Categories: Android, Security
By: , IntoMobile
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 4:21 PM
evil-android-malware

Symantec detailed a new case of mobile malware called Android.Bmaster and this is one nasty piece of work.

Its target is mainly Android users on Chinese networks, though the malicious software has been found on other networks as well. It lurks on a third-party marketplace, which is good news for people who strictly use the official Android Market for apps and it is packaged with a legitimate app for customizing phone settings.

The motive for Android.Bmaster is money. Android users with an infected device are forced to pay up whether they like it or not. The remote server is capable of sending out text messages or phone calls to paid services like pay-per-view video or premium phone subscription services. Symantec estimates that anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 devices are infected. That equals out to between $1,600 and $9,000 per day or $547,500 to $3,285,000 per year in profit for the botmaster. You read that right: at this rate, the botmaster could gain millions of dollars in profit annually.

Malware on Android is becoming a serious threat to consumers. Just last week, we reported different malware that alone could infect up to five million devices. Since Android does not put apps through rigorous security checks like Apple’s iOS App Store does, developers submit malicious apps with ease. A few days ago, Google announced Bouncer in an effort to fight back against these countless security threats, but it can’t protect third-party app stores and removes apps once they’re in the Market, which might be too late for some.

[via Symantec]

About The Author

George Tinari

George has followed technology news for quite some time, but he only started writing about it a few years ago. He's a self-proclaimed Apple fanboy, but that doesn't stop him from covering a wide range of topics in the mobile area. When he's not reporting for IntoMobile, you can usually find George listening to a wide array of music, trying to be funny and sarcastic, eating, or voicing his opinions about all things tech on his personal blog, GT Daily.

  • http://twitter.com/havens1515 Randy

    If you’re going to report on these things… tell the truth. “Malware on Android is becoming a serious threat to consumers.” – finish that statement with the words “who use markets other than the official Android Market.” THAT is where most of the malware lies. There is very little malware in the official market and, when it does occur, Google gets rid of it quickly. There are also nerds (like me) out there that find potentially malicious apps, and report them so that Google can remove them.

    tl;rd – Malware on Android is not as big as people make it out to be. Stay away from 3rd party markets and you’ll be OK.

  • http://twitter.com/jmangotweets JMango

    Malware such as these are mostly a threat when apps are downloaded outside official channels.  Google is now checking apps uploaded to the Android market, and actual infection rates are going lower than up.