New Trojan Hits Android, Study Suggests Better Smartphone Security

From DailyTech: While viruses are not nearly as common on mobile devices as they are on personal computers, security firms have warned about the possibility of app attacks in the past, and we've seen it in the form of an SMS Trojan on the Android platform. Now, a second Trojan has made its way to Android.

The new malware is being distributed on adult-oriented Russian websites that prompt only Android users to download the Trojan, while those visiting the sites through other platforms are able to obtain the desired content, a Kaspersky Lab press release said.

"As with its predecessor, the latest Trojan – Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.b – masquerades as a media player," said the U.K.-based security vendor. "Users of smartphones running Android are asked to download the pornplayer.apk application from an infected webpage in order to view adult content videos. The installation file is only 16.4 KB and during installation the Trojan seeks the user's consent to send SMS messages – a requirement that a media player is very unlikely to need."

In order to view the adult content, Android users are prompted to download a 16.4 KB file named "pornplayer.apk" from the infected websites. During installation, the Trojan gains consent to send SMS messages -- a highly unlikely requirement for a typical media player.

Once the app is launched, the Trojan sends SMS messages to a premium number at a rate of $6 per message, and right into the hackers' bank accounts.

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