600% rise in malicious apps: Study
NEW
DELHI: The growth in smartphones and devices has fuelled surge in
malicious applications, which grew globally by over 600% to 2.76 lakh in
the one year ended March 2013, with majority of the devices being
targeted running on Android, a study by Juniper Networks says.
According to network solutions provider Juniper Network's third annual mobile threats report, out of the more than 500 third-party application stores hosting mobile malware identified, a majority are located in Russia and China.
"From March 2012 through March 2013, the total amount of malware the Mobile Threat Center (MTC) sampled across all mobile platforms grew 614% to 2,76,259 total malicious apps, compared with a 155% increase reported in 2011," the report said.
This trend suggests that more attackers are shifting part of their efforts to mobile, the report said, for which MTC examined more than 1.85 million mobile applications and vulnerabilities across major mobile operating system platforms.
Malware or malicious software, is used by attackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information or gain access to private computer systems.
"By March 2013, Android was the target of 92% of all detected mobile malware threats by the MTC. This is a significant uptick from 2011 when Android made up 47% of all detected threats and 2010 where just 24% targeted the platform," the report said.
Attackers made strides to shorten the supply chain and discover more methods to distribute their apps globally. MTC identified over 500 third-party application stores hosting mobile malware, it said.
According to network solutions provider Juniper Network's third annual mobile threats report, out of the more than 500 third-party application stores hosting mobile malware identified, a majority are located in Russia and China.
"From March 2012 through March 2013, the total amount of malware the Mobile Threat Center (MTC) sampled across all mobile platforms grew 614% to 2,76,259 total malicious apps, compared with a 155% increase reported in 2011," the report said.
This trend suggests that more attackers are shifting part of their efforts to mobile, the report said, for which MTC examined more than 1.85 million mobile applications and vulnerabilities across major mobile operating system platforms.
Malware or malicious software, is used by attackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information or gain access to private computer systems.
"By March 2013, Android was the target of 92% of all detected mobile malware threats by the MTC. This is a significant uptick from 2011 when Android made up 47% of all detected threats and 2010 where just 24% targeted the platform," the report said.
Attackers made strides to shorten the supply chain and discover more methods to distribute their apps globally. MTC identified over 500 third-party application stores hosting mobile malware, it said.
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