Andre Yoskowitz
10 Aug 2010 22:09
Google's Android mobile OS has finally hit the big time; security firm Kaspersky is reporting that users are being hit with the first trojan for the OS.
Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a is being sent around as an SMS, infecting devices while pretending to be a media player application. Infected users will send out SMS texts without consent.
Android owners who receive the text are prompted to install a small 13kb .APK which then infects the device. The trojan will then begin texting out "premium rate phone numbers," to other users.
Kapersky is quick to note that so far the Android users in most immediate danger are in Russia, where the criminals behind the trojan can actually start charging money to user's accounts. However, anyone with a device can get infected.
While FakePlayer is the first Trojan for Android, there have been scattered spywares created for the OS.
Adds Kapersky: "The IT market research and analysis organization IDC has noted that those selling devices running Android are experiencing the highest growth in sales among smartphone manufacturers. As a result, we can expect to see a corresponding rise in the amount of malware targeting that platform."