Google Pulls More Malware-Infected Apps From Android Market

Source: Yahoo News

Google has removed more apps from its Android Market due to malware, some of which appear to exploit the popularity of apps like Angry Birds.

Google removed 10 apps from the market pending investigation after they were discovered and reported by Xuxian Jiang, an assistant professor at NC State University's Department of Computer Science.

"While continuing an Android-related research project after the discovery of the DroidKungFu and YZHCSMS malware, my research team also came across a new stealthy Android spyware in the Official Android Market," Jiang said in a statement.

Known as Plankton, the spyware "does not attempt to root Android phones but instead is designed to be stealthy by running the payload under the radar," Jiang wrote. "In fact, Plankton is the first one that we are aware of that exploits Dalvik class loading capability to stay stealthy and dynamically extend its own functionality."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20110613/tc_zd/265587

I have an android phone and angry birds. Should I delete the game?

and is seen as being ok - however it can then load more functionality - these new functions be bad.

not a bad idea to install something like Lookout as well.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lookout&hl=en

I did just download the free version of Lookout. Seems like a good app with quite a lot of protection for something that is free. Love the DROID platform but had been very careful when downloading. This helps me feel a little better about it all.

and thoroughly review apps offered. There's a rigorous testing process in place for iPhone apps and if your app doesn't meet stringent guidelines, it will be rejected by the Apple store until it does.

Nobody wants an iPhone.

;-)