WARNING: New Android Malware

A new piece of malware is trying to take advantage of Opera's popularity as a mobile browser alternative on Android smartphones. Cybercriminals have created a new variant of Opfake that bundles the real Opera Mini version 6.5 so as to further mask what the malware is actually doing (earning its creators money from unsuspecting users by sending international text messages). GFI, which first discovered the malware, is calling this particular threat Trojan.AndroidOS.Generic.A. The package is named "com.surprise.me" while the file name is "opera_mini_65.apk" (both can easily be changed).

As you can see above, two sets of "Permission to Install" pages are displayed during installation. The first (above in the middle), comes from the malware itself: it asks for read and modify rights to all SMS and MMS messages, read rights to all contacts stored on the smartphone, modify or delete rights to the SD card, and so on. The second (above on the right) one appears once users agree to install the first, which is simply the permissions required for the legitimate Opera Mini browser.

This particular threat is interesting because it shows that OpFake is evolving. Instead of trying to mimic a popular app, OpFake now simply installs the real version. As a result, the user is less suspicious that something is wrong. "More than likely, users will not be aware that something might have infiltrated their phones until the bill arrives," a GFI spokesperson said in a statement.


Read the rest of the story at ZDNET

Spyware Removal Software Comparison - Remove Spyware From A PC

It seems like almost everyone has their own personal computer these days. Indeed, some households may even have several. Computers have become vital to almost everything we do, from personal banking, downloading films and music to doing the weekly shopping online. So, it is a real problem when malicious software infects your PC, and you need to visit a spyware removal software comparison website. Using a high quality anti adware and spyware software has helped to clear up my PC of annoying pop ups and increased its speed significantly.

The range of issues that can affect your computer is quite staggering and can lead to a range of problems from the irritating to those that cause serious concerns and real financial cost. As a low-level example, malware, the term used for malicious programs that cause damage to your machine can cause an infection in a file or files on your computer. This is annoying and will probably require some work to repair the damage.

At a more serious level, the malware may duplicate through your machine and you will soon have multiple files being destroyed. Ultimately, this can even cause problems in your hard drive and the whole PC would need to be rebuilt at considerable cost.

However, the issues involved are even more disturbing where there is adware is involved. Spyware is the term that relates to programs that monitor, observe and ultimately retrieve the activity and data on your computer. It is not until you consider what you use your personal computer for that you fully comprehend the nature of the threat posed.

For example, adware can track the websites that you view, it can record your personal settings and redirect you to websites that you do not want to visit. This can mean that armed with the knowledge of your habits and usage, you can be the target of advertising campaigns but also that your personal information can be stolen without your knowledge, so the danger of identity theft becomes very real.

The user rarely has any knowledge that their computer is infected as the techniques used to install the spyware are so advanced. It is often the case that the spyware involved will be hidden within a completely legitimate download that the owner of the PC has made. For example, they may want a program that enables them to access online music but at the same time, the spyware links into the download and installs at the same time. This is known as the Trojan Horse method, a reference to the historical legend where Greek soldiers hid within a wooden horse supposedly offered to the people of Troy as a gift and then attacked them as they lay sleeping.

Other methods are no less cunning, for example, dummy security downloads, programs that are appealing to children, false websites etc. It is virtually impossible to detect that this is happening, so constant vigilance is required.

Generally, most cleaning programs mean that no adware removal software is required, as it has the ability to remove all malware. However, given the nature of the potential impact to your personal computer, visiting a spyware removal software comparison webpage as soon as possible is an absolute must for anyone wishing to protect themselves. I am glad that all the spyware, adware and viruses on my computer are all gone now all thanks to high quality software which I downloaded and would highly recommend it.

Want to learn about the best Spyware Removal Software comparison? Donald successfully removed all the adware and viruses from his PC with high quality software. Visit his website http://www.review-best.com/spyware-removal-software-download.htm for the Top 5 Spyware & Virus Removal Software and get a FREE PC Scan!

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