Google pulls 50 infected apps from Android Market

Google pulls 50 infected apps from Android Market
Google has confirmed today that they have pulled 50 infected apps from the Android Market, although it has not triggered automatic uninstalls yet for those that have already installed it on their devices.

"The apps were 'Trojanized,' for a better word," says Symantec's security response senior manager Tom Parsons. "With the phones being 'rooted,' the attacks can do almost anything, including pulling data off the phone."



Each of the apps were available for over 72 hours on the Market, and between 50,000 and 200,000 were downloaded by users during the time span.

All of the apps were infected with "DreamDroid," code that lets attackers take over Android smartphones, connect them to a command-and-control server and then issue orders.

Google has not yet used their ability to remotely remove malicious apps from phones, and has only used that power once, in June of last year.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 2 Mar 2011 15:18
Tags
Google Android malicious Apps
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  • 16 comments
  • baxter00

    I sure would like to know what apps they are to make sure I don't have them.

    2.3.2011 15:22 #1

  • NeoandGeo

    List please.

    2.3.2011 15:31 #2

  • lissenup2

    Well GET ON THE F'ING BALL GOOGLE and use that "power" again. Writing malicious code is such a edited by ddp thing to do and an even greater edited by ddp thing to do when it's on phones.

    F'ing virus writers would be set in front of a firing squad if I had my way.........right after 90% of politicians.

    2.3.2011 16:59 #3

  • Cooljay

    Originally posted by lissenup2: Well GET ON THE F'ING BALL GOOGLE and use that "power" again. Writing malicious code is such a edited by ddp thing to do and an even greater edited by ddp thing to do when it's on phones.

    F'ing virus writers would be set in front of a firing squad if I had my way.........right after 90% of politicians.
    Just 90%?

    2.3.2011 20:39 #4

  • shortybob

    I guess this'll happen if you give the consumers an open-source, rooted phone like that...

    2.3.2011 20:48 #5

  • biglo30

    Originally posted by shortybob: I guess this'll happen if you give the consumers an open-source, rooted phone like that... Its the users personal choice to root their device, had they not they would not have given full access to the trojan, but then again the article didn't really say if phones that were not rooted were affected as well. If those apps were only exploiting root devices than google are doing those users a favor.

    2.3.2011 21:01 #6

  • ddp

    lissenup2, got a week ban for those comments, posts edited.

    2.3.2011 22:15 #7

  • KillerBug

    I wouldn't have an android phone if it were not for rooting; an occasional viral/trojan app is a small price to pay for the whole range of apps that would be blocked to me without rooting.

    As for the trojans, they have access to a lot of data without any rooting at all.


    2.3.2011 22:57 #8

  • shortybob

    Originally posted by KillerBug: I wouldn't have an android phone if it were not for rooting; an occasional viral/trojan app is a small price to pay for the whole range of apps that would be blocked to me without rooting.

    As for the trojans, they have access to a lot of data without any rooting at all.
    Yea, what's the harm of an occasional trojan app? It's not like your card info, contacts list, address, geo-info or anything is in your phone or anything... And as far as I know, executable programs can't do anything like brick your ridiculously expensive phone... You're probably right.

    Sarcasm aside though, I guess it's not much of a threat if you know how to handle it and if you're smart enough to root it, you're probably smart enough to fix it

    3.3.2011 01:28 #9

  • Mrguss

    Originally posted by NeoandGeo: List please. The offending apps from publisher Myournet:

    * Falling Down
    * Super Guitar Solo
    * Super History Eraser
    * Photo Editor
    * Super Ringtone Maker
    * Super Sex Positions
    * Hot Sexy Videos
    * Chess
    * 下坠滚球_Falldown
    * Hilton Sex Sound
    * Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls
    * Falling Ball Dodge
    * Scientific Calculator
    * Dice Roller
    * 躲避弹球
    * Advanced Currency Converter
    * App Uninstaller
    * 几何战机_PewPew
    * Funny Paint
    * Spider Man
    * 蜘蛛侠

    Over 30 more have been found by Lookout:

    * owling Time
    * Advanced Barcode Scanner
    * Supre Bluetooth Transfer
    * Task Killer Pro
    * Music Box
    * Sexy Girls: Japanese
    * Sexy Legs
    * Advanced File Manager
    * Magic Strobe Light
    * 致命绝色美腿
    * 墨水坦克Panzer Panic
    * 裸奔先生Mr. Runner
    * 软件强力卸载
    * Advanced App to SD
    * Super Stopwatch & Timer
    * Advanced Compass Leveler
    * Best password safe
    * 掷骰子
    * 多彩绘画
    * Finger Race
    * Piano
    * Bubble Shoot
    * Advanced Sound Manager
    * Magic Hypnotic Spiral
    * Funny Face
    * Color Blindness Test
    * Tie a Tie
    * Quick Notes
    * Basketball Shot Now
    * Quick Delete Contacts
    * Omok Five in a Row
    * Super Sexy Ringtones
    * 大家来找茬
    * 桌上曲棍球
    * 投篮高手

    FOR MORE INFO:
    "The Mother of all Android Malware has Arrived"
    http://goo.gl/fb/AiyWD

    +4000

    3.3.2011 04:08 #10

  • KillerBug

    There is no harm if you are careful. I want to fly...let me worry about avoiding the trees...don't tie me down like apple or microsoft would.


    3.3.2011 04:08 #11

  • mavisdenmade (unverified)

    Originally posted by shortybob: Originally posted by KillerBug: I wouldn't have an android phone if it were not for rooting; an occasional viral/trojan app is a small price to pay for the whole range of apps that would be blocked to me without rooting.

    As for the trojans, they have access to a lot of data without any rooting at all.
    Yea, what's the harm of an occasional trojan app? It's not like your card info, contacts list, address, geo-info or anything is in your phone or anything... And as far as I know, executable programs can't do anything like brick your ridiculously expensive phone... You're probably right.

    Sarcasm aside though, I guess it's not much of a threat if you know how to handle it and if you're smart enough to root it, you're probably smart enough to fix it
    what an idiot! letts home a nice trojan comes your way hits your phone, pc BANK ACCOUNT etc not eveyone is tech savvy they just pay a lot for a high tech phone they dont need idiots breaking or stealing info

    3.3.2011 06:13 #12

  • lawndog

    In my opinion........... I wouldn't keep bank account information or other truly valuable information on my phone anyway. Lets say 1 day you forget your phone in the bar, or some other place. Guess what..... boom information gone from you into the hands of anouther.

    3.3.2011 16:22 #13

  • plazma247

    I think if people would check the market place things like lookout mobile security basic is free and goes a long way to preventing most thing like this from happening.
    Link to Market

    To me they looked the most well founded as your going to have to give the av software access to all areas, lookouts a bit freaky as you can also do phone tracking and online backups :)

    Also i think it was known for a long time that a number of these apps were in the market but there is always some finger happy person willing to download an app that says it wants access to your location/address book etc etc and has no reviews.... well good on you and thats probably just darwinisum at work... ;)

    3.3.2011 20:58 #14

  • Mrguss

    Good News Today ?:
    Android Market Malware Has Users Begging Google To Remotely Disable Bad Apps..... The beginning.....

    http://tcrn.ch/e999ml

    +4000

    4.3.2011 13:56 #15

  • Mrguss

    THE FIX: Sat. Feb 5th 10pm PT

    http://tcrn.ch/h2e4uR

    +4000

    6.3.2011 02:22 #16

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