Increase in malicious Android apps predicted

Digital information security provider Trend Micro has announced that dodgy apps targeting Google's mobile OS will almost triple this year.

Following their report, Mobile Threat and Security Roundup, published last year, the firm claims mobile app and OS vendors have a 'long way to go' to assure consumers that their data is being handled carefully and kept private.

Adware and data stealers will be the second and third most prevalent forms of malicious apps, and the key related issues highlighted are fraudulent text messages, user annoyance and data leakage, which jeopardise privacy.

"Currently apps on every major platform are entirely opaque when it comes to informing the user whether encryption is being used when transmitting data," said Rik Ferguson, director of security research and communications at Trend Micro.

"Even simple smartphone browsers make it almost impossible to tell whether consumers are entering their data on a secure website. A similar lack of clarity is also apparent in operating systems. It's more important than ever to protect consumers while they are using their mobile devices."

Android malware listens in to business chatter

Now that the BYOD trend is fast becoming a business norm, the same risks are presented to Middle East enterprises of all types and sizes. Earlier this month, Kaspersky Lab put the spotlight on a sneaky new piece of Android malware that transfers itself to your laptop or PC.

The app disguised itself as an Android phone clean-up app, but the target of the virus is the user's personal computer - stealing sensitive data and, perhaps most alarmingly, listening in to your conversations by taking control of your microphone.

With such security gaps, left open by OS vendors, coupled with the increase in data stealing mobile apps, a greater level of mobile security is needed in order for a safe digital experience. And, since these new types of threats are highlighting more and more vulnerable areas that businesses need to consider, more solutions have hit the market in recent days.

Last week, security specialist Sophos announced their new MDM (mobile device management) solution, designed for tablets and smartphone running Android operating systems. Trend Micro also released their Mobile Security for Android App just this week. The solution combines antivirus protection, data-theft detection, anti-phishing protection and privacy scanning.