Last month, we discussed why Google Play Store is more vulnerable in security aspect than Apple App Store. The main reason why users more rely on Apple App Store is that the company pre-screens all apps prior to publish them. On the other side, Google Play Store does not pre-screen all apps before publishing, but provides permission list while apps are downloaded.
According to a recent study, the volume of malware attacks on Android platform has surged by a factor of 41 within a year period. It has also been noticed that more than half of all Android devices are occupied with ‘unpatched vulnerabilities’. The information has been gathered by Duo Security, a startup firm receiving funding from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), conducted study over 20,000 users (who downloaded X Ray mobile app) and the distribution of Global Android versions.
Indeed, there’s need of expedient patching in order to enhance mobile security. Last year, a study conducted by the same firm revealed that obsoleted and insecure versions of Android OS were available for 56% of the top 20 smartphones due to failure of carrier and manufacturer to issue timely updates.
However, carrier patching practices have little improved over the past year, but the ‘Android device purchase’ is still considered as a big risk due to malware attack. Malware apps like ‘SMS toll fraud apps’–transact infected devices to send normal messages at the premium-rates–have made pathetic to Android platform.
It’s true  that Android recorded 3,325% malware growth in 2011 compare to the previous year, followed by JavaMe, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian with 49%, 21%, 8% and over 1% respectively. Just Android platform recorded 46.9% of all malware attacks in the last year.
In the last year, Android devices were basically affected by either SMS Trojans or online applications. Apparently, 36% of mobile malware attacks on the platform in the last year were ‘SMS Trojans’, while 30% were based on online applications.
Moreover, there are enormous malware apps in the market that could kill the performance of devices. In addition to this, the malware can also exploit to the battery life, memory and mobile web traffic of the devices. Â As the competition in the market are soaring up, Google needs to take some preventive measures in order to make Android platform more secure.
