Disqus
NQ Mobile Security Research Center, in collaboration with the leading cyber security expert Dr. Xuxian Jiang at North Carolina State University, started alerting Android users about the new malware called UpdtBot. Disguising itself as a system upgrade, it spreads via text messages that contain a link to the malicious application file. Once installed, UpdtBot registers a remote Command and Control (C&C) server, which instructs the infected device to send text messages, make phone calls, and download and install apps.
According to NQ Mobile’s estimates, some 160,000 Android users are affected by now so if you’re not sure whether you’re in that infamous group, you better install some anti-malware app and see if it detects something.
In any case, make sure to download apps only from trusted sources (Google Play, Amazon AppStore, GetJar, etc) and to carefully review the “permissions” each app requires. Those two tips alone can save you from headaches in the future…
About The Author
Dusan Belic
Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.
