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Malware Risk Grows Across Mobile Devices, Platforms

Mobile malware Mobile Malware Infections on the Rise Android OS takes the top spot as the most targeted mobile platform, as malware infections hit an all-time high, a new report from Nokia shows. Mobile Security Trouble Spot Smartphone infections accounted for 78% of the infections detected in the mobile network. The remaining 22% are related […]

Written By: Gina Roos

Sep 13, 2016

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Mobile malware

Mobile Malware Infections on the Rise

Android OS takes the top spot as the most targeted mobile platform, as malware infections hit an all-time high, a new report from Nokia shows.

Mobile Security Trouble Spot

Smartphone infections accounted for 78% of the infections detected in the mobile network. The remaining 22% are related to Windows/PC systems connected using dongles or tethered through phones.

Targeting Android OS

Android smartphones accounted for 74% of all malware infections compared to Window/PC systems (22%) and other platforms, including iOS devices (4%).

Smartphone Infections Nearly Double

Smartphone infections increased 96% in the first half of 2016. The infection rate averaged 0.49 percent in the first half of 2016, compared to 0.25 percent in the second half of 2015, nearly doubling.

Malware Spike

The average monthly infection rate for all mobile devices increased to 0.66%.

Malware Infections at All-Time High

Mobile infections peaked at 1.06% of devices tracked in April. This translates into 1 out of every 120 smartphones with some type of malware infection. Malware infections included ransomware, spyphone applications, SMS Trojans, personal information theft and adware.

Sophisticated Malware

New variations of malware are using multiple methods to bypass safeguards and take permanent control of devices. April’s peak is attributed to smartphone infections related to Kasandra, SMSTracker and UaPush Android trojans.

Top Threats

The top three mobile malware threats—Uapush.A, Kasandra.B and SMSTracker—accounted for 47% of all infections.

More Malware Samples

The number of infected Android apps in Nokia’s malware database increased 75% from 5.1 million in December 2015 to 8.9 million in July 2016.

Downloaded Mobile Apps Pose Risks

Downloaded mobile apps are a key channel for malware attacks. Case in point: The Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab detected infected copies of a popular mobile game within hours after posting on untrusted third-party download sites.

Home WiFi Concerns

The monthly infection rate in residential fixed broadband networks averaged 12% in the first half of 2016, up from 11% in late 2015, primarily due to malware on Windows PCs and laptops in the home, but including infections on smartphones using home WiFi.

Malware Risk Grows Across Mobile Devices, Platforms

Gina Roos

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