Four Out of Five Malware Menaces Choose Android
Android is the world’s most widely used smartphone operating system. It’s also the one most often targeted by malware ne’er-do-wells.
According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI and uncovered by Public Intelligence, the majority of malware targeting mobile operating systems in 2012 was intended for Android. Indeed, Android was targeted by an astonishing 79 percent of all smartphone malware that year — far, far more than any other OS. The agencies found that iOS was targeted by 0.7 percent of malware attacks, Windows Phone and BlackBerry by 0.3 percent and Symbian by 19 percent.
In a memo citing the research circulated nationwide to law enforcement, security and emergency personnel, the DHS and FBI note that a significant number of Android users continue to run older versions of the OS that leave them open to a number of security vulnerabilities — something companies with rival operating systems love to point out.
Google did not respond to a request for comment.