Android's Security Thorns

As I reported in yesterday's post Apple's market share has been getting smaller and Android is having problems of it's own.

Android vulnerabilities, increased online banking threats and availability of sophisticated, inexpensive malware toolkits are among the growing concerns cited in Trend Micro's Q2 2013 Security Roundup Report.

The report describes cyber-security threats from the previous quarter combined with analysis to evaluate and anticipate emerging attacks.

Android devices are directly in the crosshairs of hackers as threats become for frequent while the user-base expands with little thought given to security. The report shows the number of malicious and high-risk Android apps has grown to 718,000 in the second quarter – an incredible increase from the 509,000 high-risk apps found in the previous quarter.

These malicious apps are on track to exceed one million by year's end, as predicted by Trend Micro in the 2013 forecast. To demonstrate how big of a problem is be aware that it took a decade for PC malware to amass this number.

According to Linda Barrabee, Research Director, Connected Intelligence at The NPD Group, approximately only 30 percent of all Android smartphones and tablets in the U.S., have any type of security app installed today. This fact, Trend Micro warns, combined with the Android network's systemic problems leave a large number of Android devices exposed to a risk that will continue to spread.

Online banking

The Trend Micro report also warned of increasing hazards to online banking, which saw malware increasing 29 percent from the previous quarter – from 113,000 to 146,000 infections. The U.S. was the top target of malware, with more than one million instances amounting to 28 percent of global compromises.

Preventative measures, such as closely monitoring account activity and using third-party security solutions, will help mitigate this growing threat.

Malware toolkits

Adding to this onslaught of cyber-security risks, the Trend Micro report found that the methods for selling malware toolkits have evolved. Sophisticated malicious tools are now being sold via inexpensive, free or bundled pricing schemes, such as two-for-one packages.

Android's Future

Android must get a handle on their security issues to retain the confidence of the user market. This is easier said then done simply because of the open nature of their software. It will be interesting to watch this to see how the ongoing security threats to Android devices are managed and addressed. This is critical for Android because Apple, Windows and Blackberry are much less threatened by this issue.