New Trojan Hits Android Bringing the First Virus to the Google OS


Kaspersky Labs has identified the first virus to attack the Google Android OS. The virus is named Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a and attacks Android devices an SMS message prompting the receiver to download a small 13KB Media Player app. The virus then sends out SMS messages to premium rate phone numbers without any notifications to the user.

This is the first Android targeted virus to hit the Google OS. It is attributed to the rising sales of Android Devices according to Kaspersky’s Mobile Lab Research Manager, Denis Maslennikov. He also goes on to say “We can expect to see a corresponding rise in the amount of malware targeting that platform,”

On a serious note the Virus requires user interaction so please do not download and install anything you are not familiar with.

[via techworld]

  • Look, if you are stupid enough to click on an unsolicited link to download ANYTHING, whether that be on a phone, laptop or desktop, you deserve to pick up trojans and viruses. And if you are not running Antivirus software on that equipment, shame on you.

  • Kvothe

    Funny how ‘trojan’ morphed into ‘virus.

    A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. The term “virus” is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, adware, and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability. …
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus

    “Viruses are sometimes confused with worms and Trojan horses, which are technically different.”

    I don’t think this ‘Trojan’ can copy itself from the report I read.

    http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=207576152

  • Howie_in_AZ

    Disabling sideloading of applications should prevent this, yes?

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