Dangerous Android Applications

Android applications sometimes contain malware which causes unexpected and sometimes dangerous effects on your Android device.

Out-of-App Advertising

Many Android apps are funded by advertising. This advertising usually only shows while you are running the application, however some apps continue to display advertising when you are not consciously running the applications. These apps push advertising into your system notification bar.

Icon Spam

Some apps place advertising icons or shortcuts on your Android desktop.

Web Browser Spam

Some misbehaving apps will change your default homepage so that their advertising page is displayed every time you open the Android web browser. Others apps will stuff their advertising URLs into your browser bookmarks.

Ringtone Changes

A few mischievous Android apps have been known to change users ringtones. How would you feel if your ringtone was suddenly changed to a voice screaming profanity?

Spyware

Some rogue apps will gather data from your Android device for less-than-honorable purposes. This data includes the devices telephone number (MSISDN), IMSI, and UDID. I also includes the users email address, and perhaps even the history of the devices telephone calls, text messaging, and web browsing. In extreme cases, malware may attempt to sniff web site logins and passwords from the device.

Unauthorized Calling and Text Messaging

Some poorly behaved apps will attempt to place telephone calls or send text messages without your permission — which can cost you money.

DroidDream

In one case, a rogue app developer uploaded more than 50 apps to the Android Market which a trojan virus that is now referred to as the DroidDream trojan. This code opened a backdoor on the phone and “rooted” it by using the “rageagainstthecage” rooting tool. Once installed, the trojan was able to download additional computer viruses, spyware, or malware to the phone.

The apps known to have been carriers for the DroidDream trojan include: Advanced App to SD, Advanced Barcode Scanner, Advanced Compass Leveler, Advanced Currency Converter, Advanced File Manager, Advanced Sound Manager, App Uninstaller, Basketball Shot Now, Best password safe, Bowling Time, Bubble Shoot, Chess, Color Blindness Test, Dice Roller, Falling Ball Dodge, Falling Down, Finger Race, Funny Face, Funny Paint, Hilton Sex Sound, Hot Sexy Videos, Magic Hypnotic Spiral, Magic Strobe Light, Music Box, Omok Five in a Row, Photo Edito, Piano, Quick Delete Contacts, Quick Notes, Scientific Calculator, Screaming Sexy Japanese Girls, Sexy Girls: Japanese, Sexy Legs, Spider Man, Super Guitar Solo, Super History Eraser, Super Ringtone Maker, Super Sex Positions, Super Sexy Ringtones, Super Stopwatch & Timer, Supre Bluetooth Transfer, Task Killer Pro, Tie a Tie, 几何战机_PewPew, 墨水坦克Panzer Panic, 多彩绘画, 大家来找茬, 投篮高手, 掷骰子, 桌上曲棍球, 致命绝色美腿, 蜘蛛侠, 裸奔先生Mr. Runner, 躲避弹球, and 软件强力卸载.

Protecting Your Device and Yourself

Bitdefender provides Antivirus Free for Android which can help protect you from known malware apps.

It is still good advice to research each application carefully before installing it on your device. It’s a dangerous world out there, for you and for your phone.