Android scare ware: Counterclank – Yet another malware!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by iGennie Technical Services

Every technology News regularly focuses on Malware attacks that are flowing through computers and mobiles and surfacing its devilish stance by hampering the devices from operating in its own smooth manner. Of late, the well known Antivirus vendor Symantec has executed an alarming research that proclaims that near about 5 million Android devices are expected to have been infected with a unique kind of malware.

The research reveals that a horde of publishers were releasing apps, few of which were inheriting malware distinctively known as “Counterclank”. Some o these are extensively accessible in the official Android market.

Introduction to “Counterclank”

“Counterclank” is a significantly minimal modification of the infamous Android Tonclank, a spybot that are designed to stealthily carry out actions to grab confidential and major information from the device. The malicious code of “Counterclank” has been implanted in the main app with the help of a package by the name of “Apperhand”. This is a service that is seen running on an infected device when the package becomes functional.  Shortly a useless search icon gets displayed on the screen of the victimized device.

But soon, security experts from the organization Lookout Mobile Security claimed that the infected apps of “Apperhand” were actually carrying adware and not malware. Again, the antivirus giant McAfee claims it to be a Pup (Potentially unwanted program). To draw a line to the continuous claiming process , the ICSA lab experts suggest not to be over concerned until and unless the “Apperhand” package is proved of carrying malware.

What triggers Malware qualms?

According to Symantec,  Android Counterclank is accused of having a considerable distribution in comparison to any other malware identified till date.

Few publishers whose apps are supposedly containing “Deal & Be Millionaire”, “Hit Counter Terrorist” and such others. With Android device gaining immense popularity, the Antivirus vendors are at a stake to keep at bay the aggravated flood of Android malware.

ICSA experts have dug out three possible reasons which are apparently responsible for Android devices facing more vulnerability in comparison to iPhone or BlackBerry.

• Android apps can be easily downloaded from any website.
• When compared to an iOS app, Android apps easily fall prey to Trojans.
• The expansion, of operation and application is low priced and quite implicit.

If you are facing problem of malicious programs creeping in while transferring the data from your Android device or phone to your system, you can avail effective Online Support servicethat offer help to get your data, music, file, images, etc., transferred without letting in any virus or malicious element.