[msuper69]

'Most sophisticated mobile virus' starts spreading on Android smartphones

Anybody can download anything from anywhere.

I prefer Apple's ecosystem. Considered as an insurance policy, the price is right for the protection received.

[turtle777]

It was only a matter of time until you needed anti-virus programs on your cell phone.
Thanks, Android, for being so open.



-t

[mduell]

Anyone can choose not to download anything from anywhere. Just like on a Mac.

[turtle777]

Yeah, that's real helpful for people that buy smartphone so that they can enjoy apps.

-t

[CharlesS]

It is, in fact, considering that if you don't want to deal with taking the proper precautions when downloading things, you can always just use the Marketplace, just like on an iPhone.

[driven]

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

It is, in fact, considering that if you don't want to deal with taking the proper precautions when downloading things, you can always just use the Marketplace, just like on an iPhone.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of the differences between the Apple marketplace and the Android marketplace that none of the apps are screened at all on the Android side?

[Spheric Harlot]

Actually, I believe they ARE screened.

Just owning an Android device doesn't mean you can actually access the Marketplace, though.

[driven]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

Actually, I believe they ARE screened.

Just owning an Android device doesn't mean you can actually access the Marketplace, though.

If they are screening it (and they should), then they *may* need to improve their process. (See this link, and my last comment at the end.)

SMobile Systems Analysis of Android App Store Reveals Massive Potential for Malware and... -- COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 22 /PRNewswire/ --

(Summary here)

* 20 percent of applications in the Android market grant a third party application access to private or sensitive information that an attacker could use for malicious purposes, such as Identity Theft, mobile banking fraud and corporate espionage; 5 percent of applications have the ability to place a call to any number, without requiring user intervention;
* Dozens of applications have the identical type of access to sensitive information as known spyware
* 2 percent of market submissions can allow an application to send unknown premium SMS messages without user intervention.

Now, granted, this is a study by a company with a widget to sell. So, it might be totally worthless. I don't know if the android has a problem here, but I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand without knowing more.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by driven 

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of the differences between the Apple marketplace and the Android marketplace that none of the apps are screened at all on the Android side?

The article in the OP claims that all the apps in the Marketplace are safe from this virus.

Originally Posted by driven 

If they are screening it (and they should), then they *may* need to improve their process. (See this link, and my last comment at the end.)

SMobile Systems Analysis of Android App Store Reveals Massive Potential for Malware and... -- COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 22 /PRNewswire/ --

That article focuses more on what abilities apps have access to, rather than to what degree they are screened to ensure that they will not misuse such abilities. I don't know the answer to the latter question one way or another, but the information in this article alone doesn't seem like it relates.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by driven 

If they are screening it (and they should), then they *may* need to improve their process. (See this link, and my last comment at the end.)

SMobile Systems Analysis of Android App Store Reveals Massive Potential for Malware and... -- COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 22 /PRNewswire/ --

(Summary here)

* 20 percent of applications in the Android market grant a third party application access to private or sensitive information that an attacker could use for malicious purposes, such as Identity Theft, mobile banking fraud and corporate espionage;

Sounds like what Apple is being sued over.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Yeah, that's real helpful for people that buy Macs so that they can enjoy apps.

Huh.

[driven]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Sounds like what Apple is being sued over.

I thought of that. It *is* similar.

I do think it's foolhardy to download apps NOT through the app store/google marketplace though.