Trojan Spreading With Android OS

According to BitDefender, an Internet security company, the new Android has incited widespread interest among computer users eager to test the operating system on x86 platforms. However, cyber-criminals are taking advantage of the situation by seeking to exploit those unprotected computers that try to load the Android.

Lately, netbooks that are powered with Android have been made available, implying that it's now possible to install the OS on netbooks apart from the usual personal computers. Cashing in on this, the online crooks have launched attacks against the users as the latter reveal an enthusiasm for the newly launched operating system.

An online search for the terms "Android on PC" gives back numerous website URLs that present the chances for trying out the operating system on x86 Windows environments. But among these URLs is a bogus page that promises to provide Android but serves a Trojan.

Security researchers disclosed that examining the fake website as well as the downloaded file carefully, one will find many differences. The most significant one is that while the file obtained via download has an .exe extension, it should actually contain an .iso extension. All the websites returned from the search may appear identical; however, some minor details do make the fake sites different from those that are authentic.

As for the Trojan, BitDefender has identified it as Trojan.Generic.KD.13718. This malware affects Windows PCs alone and carries other malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that it pulls down and deploys onto the infected machine.

Often, Trojan.Generic uploads a backdoor that lets attackers to remotely access the contaminated computer. Cyber-criminals subsequently use this backdoor to load more malware or PUPs onto the hijacked PC.

Meanwhile, freshly launched software becoming the target of cyber-criminals isn't something new. In January 2010, online miscreants capitalized on the public enthusiasm for the new iPad from Apple. At that time security company Websense reported of attacks from malicious web-pages generated through search engine manipulation.

Thus, to remain protected, BitDefender states that computer users must deploy the full version of anti-malware software and also keep it up-to-date on a regular basis.

Related article: Trojans to Target VoIP in 2006

» SPAMfighter News - 6/19/2010