Why Android sucks (Malware in SA)

I've been using Lookout for over a year now and I haven't gotten any malware. I guess I don't spam-install random apps without looking through the permissions first enough :D
 
Idiotic thread.

Android ICS/JB is by far the best phone OS on the planet right now.
 
Look at key on map, Africa is 0.2 or less, SA is 0.4 to 1. So theoretically SA could be 0.4 %

It's not a great difference between all the different shades, and the worst category is anything over 1%.

Categories should be all the same increments , but they are not, so its a skewed perspective.
 
AlphaJohn said:
What I do find funny is how people accuse me of trolling and going on as if malware does not exist, but the next moment someone post a comment on what he should install on his 1st android phone.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/466035-So-I-just-bought-my-first-Android-phone

Antivirus.... Go figure.
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I guess it's more a case of the users being a bit stupid.

Android is a Linux OS, and the company's anti-virus software they installed, does not even have an anti-virus solution for the desktop/server version of Linux....so would you trust them to know anything about providing anti-virus for your Linux phone??

Also, the malware that works on Windows, will not work on Linux. Try running a .com or .exe file on Linux. :p
 
I do find this funny though, a few years ago all Mac people were referring to how safe their system were against threats versus Windows. Then you had the other group whom were at loud applause of how safe Linux is versus Mac... Now that Android is in strength you have varied opinions travelling the web. Proper valid research facts should be posted here, non-biased ****e...
 
Fulcrum29 said:
I do find this funny though, a few years ago all Mac people were referring to how safe their system were against threats versus Windows. Then you had the other group whom were at loud applause of how safe Linux is versus Mac... Now that Android is in strength you have varied opinions travelling the web. Proper valid research facts should be posted here, non-biased ****e...
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I think you misunderstand the problem we have here. Linux as an operating system is secure, same goes for the phone(Android and iOS), in traditional sense its as secure as it can be. The problem is that the target has changed.

Old viruses use to infect a PC and damage the system files to such an extend that the system could do their begging or seize to function.
Today's malware gets installed by the user and targets the user's information, or access the phone/sms - the same services that the user has.

If you install an application like Ad detector you can see what applications has access to what, and the best is the user gave those permission. All apps on install tells you what it wants access to and you have to say yes go ahead before it installs.

All that the so called anti viruses do is run a similar check as Ad detector and check against a database of known culprits, its not an anti virus like old that needed to scan every file for hidden infections.

So yes the OS is secure as none of the Malware can access and damage the OS, but that does not stop it from doing things that the user gave access to, like sending your contact details to a spam house.
 
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Malware, you know its bad when there is an official IC3 warning

SMARTPHONE USERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF MALWARE TARGETING MOBILE DEVICES AND SAFETY MEASURES TO HELP AVOID COMPROMISE

The IC3 has been made aware of various malware attacking Android operating systems for mobile devices. Some of the latest known versions of this type of malware are Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing piece of malware. Criminals use different variants to lure the victims. One version is a work-at-home opportunity that promises a profitable payday just for sending out email. A link within these advertisements leads to a website that is designed to push Loozfon on the user's device. The malicious application steals contact details from the user’s address book and the infected device's phone number.

FinFisher is a spyware capable of taking over the components of a mobile device. When installed the mobile device can be remotely controlled and monitored no matter where the Target is located. FinFisher can be easily transmitted to a Smartphone when the user visits a specific web link or opens a text message masquerading as a system update.

Loozfon and FinFisher are just two examples of malware used by criminals to lure users into compromising their devices.

Safety tips to protect your mobile device:
  • When purchasing a Smartphone, know the features of the device, including the default settings. Turn off features of the device not needed to minimize the attack surface of the device.
  • Depending on the type of phone, the operating system may have encryption available. This can be used to protect the user's personal data in the case of loss or theft.
  • With the growth of the application market for mobile devices, users should look at the reviews of the developer/company who published the application.
  • Review and understand the permissions you are giving when you download applications.
  • Passcode protect your mobile device. This is the first layer of physical security to protect the contents of the device. In conjunction with the passcode, enable the screen lock feature after a few minutes of inactivity.
  • Obtain malware protection for your mobile device. Look for applications that specialize in antivirus or file integrity that helps protect your device from rogue applications and malware.
  • Be aware of applications that enable Geo-location. The application will track the user's location anywhere. This application can be used for marketing, but can be used by malicious actors raising concerns of assisting a possible stalker and/or burglaries.
  • Jailbreak or rooting is used to remove certain restrictions imposed by the device manufacturer or cell phone carrier. This allows the user nearly unregulated control over what programs can be installed and how the device can be used. However, this procedure often involves exploiting significant security vulnerabilities and increases the attack surface of the device. Anytime a user, application or service runs in "unrestricted" or "system" level within an operation system, it allows any compromise to take full control of the device.
  • Do not allow your device to connect to unknown wireless networks. These networks could be rogue access points that capture information passed between your device and a legitimate server.
  • If you decide to sell your device or trade it in, make sure you wipe the device (reset it to factory default) to avoid leaving personal data on the device.
  • Smartphones require updates to run applications and firmware. If users neglect this it increases the risk of having their device hacked or compromised.
  • Avoid clicking on or otherwise downloading software or links from unknown sources.
  • Use the same precautions on your mobile phone as you would on your computer when using the Internet.
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Source : http://www.ic3.gov/media/2012/121012.aspx
 
AlphaJohn said:
LOL, not really saw this over at /. and thought it would be interesting to share/compare to the rest of the world.

So guess I should have added source. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/09/10/0449239/majority-of-mobile-malware-now-reliant-on-toll-fraud
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Ancalagon said:
Trololololol.

No mention of Android at all.

Just grow up please.
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My question is just would you actually say this to someone you never met in person?

Where have good manner gone? are they suddenly obsolete since we are on the internet behind screens and not talking to one another face to face?
 
Peder said:
My question is just would you actually say this to someone you never met in person?

Where have good manner gone? are they suddenly obsolete since we are on the internet behind screens and not talking to one another face to face?
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Peder, meet interwebs.

All we can do I'm afraid is deal with it and get over ourselves and not cry like little girls, especially if it is a troll thread then it's most certainly called for.

If I troll or start a troll thread, I will not QQ when people start flaming me.

If you think any OS is safe, you're delusional. And if you install a whole bunch of 1 star apps and ignore their permissions then maybe you're not clever enough for android, in this case Apple does a great job of designing expensive phones for dumb people.
 
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CoolBug said:
Peder, meet interwebs.

All we can do I'm afraid is deal with it and get over ourselves and not cry like little girls, especially if it is a troll thread then it's most certainly called for.

If I troll or start a troll thread, I will not QQ when people start flaming me.

If you think any OS is safe, you're delusional. And if you install a whole bunch of 1 star apps and ignore their permissions then maybe you're not clever enough for android, in this case Apple does a great job of designing expensive phones for dumb people.
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I couldn't say it better.

Give this man a Bells!! :)
 
Peder said:
My question is just would you actually say this to someone you never met in person?

Where have good manner gone? are they suddenly obsolete since we are on the internet behind screens and not talking to one another face to face?
Click to expand...

Picture this - you are driving a Ford bakkie and I come up to you and say that Ford bakkies are the worst, most unreliable pieces of **** in the world. And you say to me why, and I say because my cousin has this friend who's Dad knows a guy that works for Toyota, and this guy says that Fords are rubbish.

Are you going to be polite to me or tell me to stop wasting your time?
 
Best comment ever:

So I have to click on a strange email and then follow an unknown link where I will be asked to download an .apk? Then I will have to go into settings and click on the option to allow me to install something that isn't in the Play Store, click through the warning that tells me that sideloading an app can lead to viruses and malware, and then install the .apk which then asks me if I'm cool with it accessing my contacts, internet and everything else? If you do all that, you're pretty determined to have problems. I imagine that those who know how to side load apps on their phone are smart enough to not randomly install apps from questionable sources. Or at least they should be smart enough to know that they have no one to blame but themselves if they fall for it.
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