Home Malware News Hackers Tweak Android Malware Schemes to Maximize Profits Amid Unprecedented Increase in Spread Rates

Hackers Tweak Android Malware Schemes to Maximize Profits Amid Unprecedented Increase in Spread Rates

Posted: August 22, 2013

android malwareHackers are taking it upon themselves to exploit Android devices never before through tweaked and highly targeted malware threats. By now, users of Android devices are somewhat aware of the fact that they are vulnerable to malware but choose to turn the other cheek to protect themselves when the latest studies reveal that Android malware rates are soaring to unprecedented levels.

In just the second quarter of this year, Android malware has grown 35%, the fastest pace since early 2012. As for the reasons, Android malware is accelerating faster than news about how raunchy the MTV Video Music Awards were just the other day.

Hackers have taken the high road to tweak new aggressive Android malware threats to really put the spread of such malware into overdrive. Many of these new and emerging malicious apps will eventually maximize profits for cybercrooks through stealing SMS-stealing banking malware, entertainment apps, fraudulent dating apps and even apps posing as useful tools.

Banking schemes through malware-laced apps were found to capture traditional usernames and passwords and then intercept them through SMS. You can say hackers have become bold in their approach of earning themselves a quick payday, all at your expense sometimes without you knowing about it.

Many other instances of the proliferation of Android malware have accounted for fraudulent apps that attempt to offer services such as a dating or entertainment service. Many times these apps will pressure users into signing up for the non-existent service only to later sell personal information.

In the midst of ongoing attacks on the digital currency Bitcoin and others, there has been a stark increase in hackers adapting methods to combat new security measures so they can tweak their schemes to achieve the greatest profit. At the end of the day, whether you like it or not, hackers in the game of proliferating Android malware are in it for the money.

The rates of infiltration of Android malware have continued to stay one step ahead of any evolving security measures to slow the spread. Hackers have basically latched onto new creative methods for money extortion, such as utilizing more ransomware-type threats, which are known to be current prevailing means of extorting money from PC users. The chart below in Figure 1 demonstrates the effective malware threats for each mobile operating system in 2012 clearly placing Android in the top.

Figure 1. 2012 Malware Threats to Mobile Operating Systems in 2012
malware threats mobile operating system chart 2012

Hackers have become virtual gangsters of the internet by pioneering a creative combination of malware threats targeting the most popular platforms. With Android being one of the most popular mobile and tablet device operating systems, only second to Apple's iOS in some regions, it begs hackers to exploit it in more ways than one. The recent tweaking of Andriod malware sets up a gloomy look over the horizon as we expect to continually see a stark emergence of undiscovered threats designed to maximize profits for its creators.

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