Android targeted by malware and cybercriminals

San Francisco, CA, United States (4E) – Android, Google’s mobile operating system, is a target for mobile malware according to a report compiled by Blue Coat Systems. The mobile research firm states that 58 percent of Android malware was caused by rogue software and cybercriminals.

“Forty percent of Android malware was delivered via malnets, demonstrating how cybercriminals can successfully utilize embedded infrastructures to attack mobile users. In the most recent six months, WebPulse also blocked an increasing number of unique malicious Android applications,” Blue Coat released in a statement.

About 40 percent of the total 58 percent of reported malware was caused by malnets, which are designed specifically to render malicious payloads.

Malware has affected Android up to a degree which CXOs are having trouble supporting the various versions of Android. Blue Coat also reveals that another key threat to Android was pornography.

“It is important to note that mobile users are going to pornography sites less than one percent of the time. When they do visit pornography sites, though, they have a high risk of finding a threat,” Blue Coat added.

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