Android Trojan Discovered: Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a

[engine]

Android Trojan Discovered: Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a [readwriteweb.com]

Google Android phones must be popular - they've just been targeted with their first Trojan. An SMS Trojan called Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a has already infected a number of mobile devices, according to security firm Kaspersky Lab. Purporting to be a harmless media player application, the Trojan, once installed, actually sends out SMS text messages without the users' knowledge or consent.

The Trojan penetrates Android-based smartphones disguised as an ordinary application, says Kaspersky. Users are prompted to install a small file of around 13 KB that has the standard Android extension .APK. But once the "app" is installed on the device, the Trojan bundled with it begins texting premium rate phone numbers (those that charge). The criminals are actually the ones operating these numbers, so they end up collecting the money via charges to the victims' accounts.

[supafresh]

Brilliant

[kaled]

Also here [bbc.co.uk...]

I am completely baffled as to how anyone can get away with this. One of the first rules of crime detection is "follow the money".

Having caught them, perhaps a more colourful punishment might be meted out just to make the point. My suggestion...

Tie them to a cross, smother them in seal fat and hang them over a polarbear enclosure at a zoo (not too high) for twenty four hours. I don't think they'd forget that in a hurry especially if the bears could reach the base of the cross with their paws.

Kaled.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

To those who add apps all willy nilly - sleep in fear. This one is easy to avoid.

[iThink]

Soon we will have botnets of phones sending millions or maybe billions of text messages out to promote PPP (#*$!, pills and poker). I'm sure there must be some brilliant minds already working on that idea.