McAfee: Android malware surges 76%, iPhone untouched

Malware on Android is growing rapidly enough that it's now by far the most targeted platform, McAfee said in a new study (below). The number of viruses, trojans, and other rogue pieces of code aimed at Google's platform shot up 76 percent this past spring to reach 44. While small compared to Windows, it was three times the volume of the one-time leader, Java ME, which was at 14.

Some of the examples of Android malware, such as Smsmecap and Toplank, are masquerading as legitimate apps. Many of them are badged as "crimeware" that tries to profit off the user by sending premium rate text messages and effectively stealing the target's money. On other platforms, like the BlackBerry and Symbian, paid SMS attacks have also appeared in smaller volumes.

Apple, meanwhile, remained unaffected, with no active malware that could attack a stock iPhone. The only known recorded instances so far have been four attacks on jailbroken devices that were all variants of each other. Of the major platforms, only the outgoing and much smaller webOS had the same perfect track record.

The gap wasn't directly explained by McAfee, although Symantec and others have already cast it as a matter of OS policies. Apple, while criticized for not allowing apps outside of its own store and often being strict on what apps can do, has been well-received in security studies. The requirements for signed, reviewed apps has prevented titles from installing themselves without permission, and it has blocked apps that might appear honest on the surface but compromise the lower-level OS behind the scenes.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/08/23/mcafee.shows.android.facing.huge.spike.in.malware/

You vill buy from us. It vill be so.

Why shouldn't they have everything bought from one source?

Personally I much prefer to have that then allowing apps to be installed from any place.

You buy Apple.

Except Apple. They will offer a fix as an upgrade, for a premium price.

I don't have a smart phone, but if I did it would be the open source option.

Maybe they will say something snarky, too. Ya never know. It could be a really crappy experience. Better not get an iPhone. It's only a matter of time before life totally goes to hell in a handbasket and stuff.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/615HJZANZHL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

If I had a big problem with snark I wouldn't be on DU.

Why would you think they'd do it now? There have been PDF vulnerabilities that have been patched and closed right through the iPhone update service.

That's on all their software, you buy it and updates to that are free. Lion, the new Mac OS is $29. Hardly a premium.

proud android user. gingerbread rooted.

I have multiple android devices. I've never had a problem.....probably just a scare tactic to get folks to buy security software.