Fake Antivirus Scams Targeting Android Users

[Icebike]

Fake Antivirus Scams Targeting Android Users | threatpost

Fake antivirus software, or "scareware" scams have been one of the tried and true methods that crooks have used to make illegal profits online in recent years. The scams often offer convincing replicas of legitimate anti malware software to trick users into installing malicious programs that can steal sensitive information or encrypt hard drives and extort money from the owner to decrypt the data.

Once again, it can't be stated too strongly: Install ONLY from the Android market, or Amazon Market.

 

[Greg_E]

Even then the software isn't tested like the apple stuff, and even apple misses well hidden things. Eventually there will be a real need for virus scanners on Android, it is too popular not to try and exploit and most people will just click through anything so sooner or later it's bound to be successful. All those stupid games, who knows how many could be waiting to activate something sinister. Free (cr)app of the day is mostly worthless though I have gotten a couple of useful things like documents to go (waiting for LibreOffice).

But your point about being very careful where your apps come from should be taken very seriously. As well as the warning to avoid putting all these cheap garbage games on your device.