Android: Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Malware

[Courtesy: Android Authority]

Abstract:
Sometimes the term "virus" generically, but there are really many kinds of "malware", of which Virus is a specific type. I categorized a few Android malware incidents from 2013 for friends. Please be aware of the "Apps" you buy, what you download, install, and even the web sites you go to.

A Brief 2013 History:
The Android ecosystem is not as "tight" as other ecosystems, such as Apple or Blackberry - as such, it is vulnerable to many more exploits... which may cause you money in bandwidth, future purchases, text messages, etc.

2013-01-09 --- Android users hit by scareware scam
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/android-users-hit-by-scareware-scam/9960

2013-01-13 --- “Bill Shocker” Android malware hits China, infecting 620K smartphone users
http://e27.co/bill-shocker-android-malware-hits-china-infecting-620k-smartphone-users/

2013-01-20 --- New variants of premium rate SMS trojan 'RuFraud' detected in the wild
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/new-variants-of-premium-rate-sms-trojan-rufraud-detected-in-the-wild/10165

2013-02-08 --- Researchers spot a fake version of Temple Run on Android's Market
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/researchers-spot-a-fake-version-of-temple-run-on-androids-market/10257

2013-02-27 --- Android drive-by download attack via phishing SMS
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/android-drive-by-download-attack-via-phishing-sms/10422

2013-03-26 --- First-Known Targeted Malware Attack On Android Phones Steals Contacts And Text Messages
http://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2013/03/26/first-known-targeted-malware-attack-on-android-phones-steals-contacts-and-text-messages/

2013-04-01 --- Evidence Mounts That Chinese Government Hackers Spread Android Malware
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/01/evidence-mounts-that-chinese-government-hackers-spread-android-malware/

2013-04-03 --- Android malware: A new avenue for Chinese hackers
http://www.citeworld.com/security/21669/android-malware-chinese-hackers

2013-04-12 --- Malicious version of Angry Birds Space spotted in the wild
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/malicious-version-of-angry-birds-space-spotted-in-the-wild/11520

2013-04-18 --- Warning: Fake Instagram app on Android is malware
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/warning-fake-instagram-app-on-android-is-malware/11597

2013-04-26 --- Warning: Fake Biophilla app on Android is malware
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/warning-fake-biophilla-app-on-android-is-malware/11715

2013-05-02 --- A first: Hacked sites with Android drive-by download malware
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/a-first-hacked-sites-with-android-drive-by-download-malware/11810

2013-05-15 --- Android malware families nearly quadruple from 2011 to 2012
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/android-malware-families-nearly-quadruple-from-2011-to-2012/12171

2013-05-21 --- Malware charges users for free Android apps on Google Play
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/malware-charges-users-for-free-android-apps-on-google-play/12245

2013-07-09 --- New Android malware infects 100,000 Chinese smartphones
http://www.zdnet.com/new-android-malware-infects-100000-chinese-smartphones-7000000497/

2013-08-13 --- Google messaging service hacked, sends malware to Android users
http://rt.com/news/google-messaging-hacked-malware-451/

2013-08-26 --- Android Malware: 44 Percent Of Android Users Vulnerable To Attacks According To U.S. Government
http://www.ibtimes.com/android-malware-44-percent-android-users-vulnerable-attacks-according-us-government-1399347

2013-08-27 --- Nearly 7,000 Malicious Android Apps Infest China's Appstores
http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/mobile-security/315218-nearly-7-000-malicious-android-apps-infest-china-s-appstores

2013-09-12 --- Email Spam Campaign Spreading Android Malware
http://threatpost.com/email-spam-campaign-spreading-android-malware

2013-10-25 --- New Android Banking Trojan Targeting Korean Users
http://thehackernews.com/2013/10/new-android-banking-trojan-targeting.html

2013-11-07 --- Another zombie 'bogus app' bug shambles out of Android
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/07/another_zombie_bogus_app_bug_shambles_out_of_android/

2013-11-17 --- New Voicemail Notification - WhatsApp - Malware
http://techhelplist.com/index.php/spam-list/314-new-voicemail-notification-whatsapp-malware

2013-12-02 --- Nexus phones carry SMS crash bug vulnerability
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/02/nexus_phones_carry_sms_crash_bug_vuln/