Doctor web – a Russian anti-virus seller, has issued a warning regarding a new trojan for Android called – TheAndroid.DDoS.1.origin. Apparently the new trojan can carry out DDoS-attacks on internet resources and send short messages to criminals.
According to the report, “after installation, Android.DDoS.1.origin creates an application icon, similar to that of Google Play. If the user decides to use the fake icon to access Google Play, the original application will be launched, which significantly reduces the risk of any suspicion.”
According to the report:
[quote] When launched, the Trojan tries to connect to a remote server and, if successful, it transmits the phone number of the compromised device to criminals and then waits for further SMS commands. Supported directives include attack a specified server and send SMS. If criminals want the Trojan to attack a server, a command message will contain the parameter [server:port]. Upon receipt of such a command Android.DDoS.1.origin starts to send data packets at the specified address. If the malicious program is required to send an SMS, the command message will contain the message text and the number to which it should be sent. Activities of the Trojan can lower performance of the infected handset and affect the well-being of its owner, as access to the Internet and SMS are chargeable services. Should the device send messages to premium numbers, malicious activities will cost the user even more.[/quote]
Android security woes has been well publicised, Nigam Arora highlighted this in an article – Android Security Issues Could Score Windfall For Apple, Microsoft just over a year ago.
“Hopefully, the bomb will never explode, but astute investors may want to equip themselves to take advantage of the major profit making opportunities that may arise,” Nigam Arora wrote at time. “I feel that the Android security issue is still an emerging theme that could indeed become a money making opportunity if it is indeed serious and becomes more widely recognised.”
Source: Doctor web
