Difference between revisions of "Android Security and Privacy"

Revision as of 16:43, 26 May 2012

The number of free Android apps that may be infected with malware is on the rise. Although some of free apps might look suspicious, others bearing names such as "Quick Notes" or "Chess" seem innocent, yet contain some of the worst payloads.

Tips to Avoid Malware

1. Always research the publisher of the app. What other apps does it offer? Do any of them look a bit shady? If so, you should probably stay away.
2. Read online reviews. Android Market reviews may not always be truthful. Check around to see what reputable Websites are saying about the app before you hit the download button.
3. Always check app permissions. Whenever you download or update an app, you get a list of permissions for it. An alarm clock app, for instance, probably shouldn't need to look through your contacts. The general rule of thumb: If an app is asking for more than what it needs to do its job, you should skip it.
4. Avoid directly installing Android Package files (APKs). When Angry Birds first came to Android, you could get it only through a third party. This is called "sideloading," or installing apps using an .APK file. Although Angry Birds wasn't malware, in general it is highly advisable not to download and install .APK files that you randomly come across. Most of the time you won't know what the file contains until you install it--and by then it's too late.
5. Put a malware and antivirus scanner on your phone. Although many people still think that antivirus scanners on phones are useless, maybe outbreaks such as this one will change minds. Several different big-name security companies already offer mobile-security options, many of them free. I myself had downloaded "Spider Man," which is on a bad-apps list. My Lookout software identified it as a Trojan horse.

source: PC World Malware Off Your Android Phone: 5 Quick Tips

Free Apps and Adware

A Major criticism of Google Play is that it is not clear which apps are adware and which are not. In the days of Tucows, Freeware is not the same as adware. What's worse is that passive adware is being replaced by more aggressive push adware, and furthermore by outright spyware that is collecting data about you from your own android device and sending it back to 3rd parties.

Detect addons (push adware and some malware related to advertising): Use https://market.android.com/details?i...addonsdetector

There is also "Lookout Security launched its free Ad Network Detector" but it does not flag apps that exhibit aggressive ad serving. "The intent of this product is to clarify for users the behaviour of applications that display ads," said Derek Halliday, senior product manager for security at San Francisco-based Lookout. "And two, to show users what privacy and information collection apps and their ad networks are doing. We're trying to provide transparency."

source: ComputerWorld UK Lookout Ad Network Detector sniffs out aggressive Android 'adware'

Keywords: Android Tablet PC Samsung Galaxy Tab Two 2