We have seen an alarming surge in android malware in 2013 compared to 2012 suggesting a growing number of professional malware vendors that work systematically to find loopholes in Android-based operating systems.

1. An alarming surge in the number of Android malware.
During the first quarter of 2013 there has been a very high growth rate ever seen of new malware
penetration into the market. The trend indicates a growing number of professional malware vendors
that work systematically to find loopholes in the operating systems.
The number of malware activities which threaten smart phones and tablets surged in the first quarter
of 2013 and climbed rapidly, with more than 90% on Android environment.
The figures show approximately 150% increase in comparison with the first quarter of 2012.
While more than 90% of the new malware attacks Android environment, 8% attacks the Nokia’s Symbian
system, which was canceled but still very much active in many older devices, and only 0% of the new
malware runs iOS & Windows Phone 8.
In 2012 only 79% of malware threatened the Android system, making Google's operating system a
Windows XP equivalent in the mobile world in terms of exposure to threats.
76.5% of the malware intended for fraudulently expenditure of funds from users. Behind the growth in
the number of malware hides a more serious problem - growing strength of professional malware
vendors that deal with identifying systematic weaknesses and loopholes in the code development on
the Android system and know how to exploit them.
Among the methods of the new malware we find several Apps that pose to Flash update, or links to
fabricated job offering pages that install malicious Apps on the device that in turn can do things like
calling high paid phone numbers passing the money into the pockets of crooks while the user is
sleeping. Another method is to monitor SMS messages containing credit card information or bank
accounts. Such malware cannot work at all on iOS because Apple's usage rules do not allow such
authorization to the applications.
One example of a particularly sophisticated malware was discovered in South Korea. Malware posing as
coupons App of a known coffee chain, the device checks if there is a local code if so - collects sensitive
information from the operating system and sends it to the activists in Hong Kong.
Another malware uses the familiar technique of phishing, and it also threatens Android users with older
devices or devices running older versions of Android.
Another problem that exposes more Android users to threats is the low frequency that most users
update their operating system, as opposed to the frequent updates of iOS users.
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