In this epoch of technology where the day begins with an android app and ends with it too, an era where the number of android phone users has crossed 800 million, you might still be using an android app right now.
Image Source – spinfold.com
The likelihood of avoiding a malware is narrow, because Potentially Unwanted App, PUA, is something you already have got face to face with while using any android phone application. If you still have confusion understanding it,
PUA is the same app which runs pop-ups and ads and becomes so annoying that you finally uninstall it. Malicious android apps can be annoying but that is just not the problem, it is something bigger than this. You have severe privacy and security issues with such mobile phone apps.
Researchers have issued warnings and a report at IBM states that such malicious apps can steal your personal information by replacing the real apps by fake ones. Such applications become super apps and take control of the device. According to the researchers a bug was found in android platform, called as OpenSSLX509Certificate, is a malware which can steal information, exploit privacy and make app more powerful by giving it permission to access the information to which it was not allowed. In addition to this, when a user download an app he exposes himself to the viruses because the developers use Software Development Kits. The hackers use the platform of SDK and through these tools they are able to access the device and execute the codes.
Image Source – lifehacker.com
The good news is Google has issued the patches to solve the problem. Now the users need to update their android system to the latest to make the most of the patches.
It is safe to download an app through GooglePlay than through any email link or Bit Torrent site. GooglePlay is much safer than any other website. Google launched a new system called Bouncer to scan the app store. It automatically kicks out the malware from the store and makes it much safer for the users to use the PlayStore. Avoid the dodgy websites which are likely to affect your device 20% more than any other website. These dodgy websites are mostly pornography websites. The third-party android stores are the second biggest cause spreading the viruses in android devices.
While installing any app make sure it is legitimate. To check the legitimacy you need to ensure what permissions this app is asking for. Upgrade your device to latest android version to be safe. Additionally keep your device updated with excellent antivirus software. You can use any of these top most used antiviruses which take account of TrusttGo, Lookout, Norton Mobile Security and Trend Micro’s Mobile Security to keep your device safe.
