Mobile platforms are anything but safe from malware, based on the second quarter Threats Report from McAfee.Android, in particular, was found to be the most vulnerable mobile operating system on the market, as malware targeted towards Google’s OS has skyrocketed 76 percent since the previous quarter. That’s a very sobering statistic for both Android developers and device owners.To read this ZDNet report in full, see:
www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/mcafee-malware-surging-on-mobile-platforms-especially-android/55537Also see:Malware targeting Android devices jumped 76 pct in Q2 – McAfee
U.S. computer security software maker McAfee said the number of malware targeted at Android devices jumped 76 percent since last quarter, making Android the most attacked mobile operating system.”This year we have seen record breaking numbers of malware, especially on mobile devices, where the uptick is in direct correlation to popularity,” Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs, said in a statement.
in.reuters.com/article/2011/08/23/idINIndia-58915520110823McAfee Q2 2011 Threats Report Shows Significant Growth for Malware on Mobile Platforms – Report Shows Record Growth for Malware and Rootkits; Major Hacktivist Activity [news release]
McAfee today released the McAfee Threats Report: Second Quarter 2011, showing that the amount of malware targeted at Android devices jumped 76 percent since last quarter, to become the most attacked mobile operating system. 2011 has also resulted in the busiest ever first half-year in malware history, including a first-ever appearance of Mac fake AV and a significant uptick in rootkits, suggesting that McAfee’s comprehensive malware “zoo” collection will reach a record 75 million samples by the year’s end.”This year we’ve seen record-breaking numbers of malware, especially on mobile devices, where the uptick is in direct correlation to popularity,” said Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs. “Overall attacks are becoming more stealth and more sophisticated, suggesting that we could see attacks that remain unnoticed for longer periods of time. High-profile hacktivist groups have also changed the landscape by drawing a line between attacks for personal gain and attacks meant to send a message.”The report also details specific activity shaping the way cybercriminals operate, such as cybercrime “pricebooks” that determine the going rate for large email address lists, and acts of hacktivism and cyberwar.2011 On Track to Reach Record “Malware Zoo”With an approximate 12 million unique samples for the first half of 2011, a 22 percent increase over 2010, this has been the busiest first half-year in malware history. With the addition of Q2’s numbers, the grand total of total malware samples in McAfee’s database has reached approximately 65 million, and McAfee researchers estimate that this “Malware Zoo” will reach at least 75 million samples by the year’s end.Android Nabs Top Spot for Most Mobile MalwareWith the vast amount of personal and business data now found on user’s mobile phones, mobile malware is steadily increasing, often mimicking the same code as PC-based threats. In the second quarter of 2011, Android OS-based malware surpassed Symbian OS for the most popular target for mobile malware developers. While Symbian OS and Java ME remain the most targeted to date, the rapid rise in Android malware in Q2 indicates that the platform could become an increasing target for cybercriminals – affecting everything from calendar apps, to comedy apps to SMS messages to a fake Angry Birds updates.Fake Anti-Virus for Apple, Rootkits and Stealth Malware Reach New TerrainThere are more Mac users than ever before, and as organizations increasingly adopt Macs for business use, Apple now has become more a target for malware authors. Though historically the Apple platform has been unaffected by fake anti-virus (fake AV) software, activity in Q2 indicates that it is now being affected. Although this type of fake AV is the first of its kind, McAfee Labs does expect fake AV in general will drop off over time.Another malware category that is demonstrating recent steady growth is stealth malware. The tactic of hiding malware in a rootkit is used by cybercriminals to make malware stealthier and more persistent, and has seen this type of attack gain in prominence over the past year, with high-profile attacks such as Stuxnet. Stealth malware has increased more rapidly in the last six months than in any previous period, up almost 38 percent over 2010.Acts of Hacktivism and Cyberwar Make Their MarkActs of hacktivism, primarily from the groups Anonymous and LulzSec, were among some of the most prominent cyber news generators for Q2. The report details hacktivist activity from Q2, with at least 20 global attacks reported in Q2 alone, and with the majority allegedly at the hands of LulzSec. The report also outlines acts of cyberwar that occurred in Q2, including attacks on United States’ Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and an attack on South Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.Email “Black Market” for SpammersThough spam is still at historic low levels, due in part to the Rustock takedown, McAfee Labs still expects to see a sharp rise in activity over the coming months. A common method for cybercriminals to increase their volume of spam activity is to purchase a bulk list of emails in order to flood as much spam as possible to a widespread group of people. Whether it’s a botnet or a rental service, prices vary for such enterprises, often by location. For instance, in the United States, the going rate for 1 million emails is $25, whereas in England 1.5 million emails are worth $100.For more information on trends related to hacktivism, cyberwar, web threats and malware, please download a full copy of the McAfee Threats Report: Second Quarter 2011 at www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/rp-quarterly-threat-q2-2011.pdf
www.businesswire.com/news/mcafee/20110822006721/en/McAfee-Q2-2011-Threats-Report-Shows-SignificantMcAfee Partners with NEC to Secure the Android Platform [news release]
McAfee Co., Ltd., the Japanese subsidiary of McAfee, today announced that NEC Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuhiro Endo) will offer McAfee Mobile Security pre-installed on its “LifeTouch”(*) series cloud communicator starting August 26, 2011. McAfee Mobile Security is the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful mobile security suite. The pre-installation of this security suite on the NEC “LifeTouch” series represents the first service bundle of its kind to be made available in Japan.”We are pleased to partner with McAfee in bundling the globally-proven McAfee Mobile Security together with our “LifeTouch” series cloud communicator,” said Kazuo Nishidai, Vice President and Executive General Manager Personal Solutions Operations Unit at NEC Corporation. “Working with McAfee enables us to address a wide range of customer needs, from consumer side to business side. Through our partnership with McAfee, we remain committed to building up our portfolio of “LifeTouch” products as a series that offers enhanced security.”The “LifeTouch” series cloud communicator is an Android device positioned between computers and mobile phones, offering performance and mobility comparable to both. NEC and McAfee have been working together to protect “LifeTouch” series users from high-profile vulnerabilities and the increasing number of threats to the Android platform, while at the same time providing them with a more comfortable and secure user experience.”We aim to provide the most robust and comprehensive security protection for all types of mobile devices, ranging from consumer products to enterprise solutions,” said Todd Gebhart, executive vice president of consumer, small business and mobile at McAfee. “We are delighted to join forces with NEC and offer McAfee Mobile Security to “LifeTouch” users. We are committed to offering continuous support that allows users to enjoy their mobile life in a more secure environment.”McAfee Mobile Security is the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful mobile security suite. It can back up and restore data, protect devices from viruses and other threats, locate and lock devices, wipe data, and block risky sites based on ratings. The suite enables users to guard their devices against viruses and malware, protect their personal data by triggering a remote wipe via the easy-to-use web console, and avoid risky websites and web-based threats that target their personal and confidential information. Utilizing the expertise McAfee has cultivated through its efforts to protect mobile phones from viruses and other threats, McAfee Mobile Security minimizes memory resource consumption and has little effect on performance and web-browsing speed.After the end of the 30-day trial period, a one-year subscription of the solution can be purchased for 2,980 yen (tax-included price for the license).About McAfee, Inc.McAfee, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems, networks, and mobile devices around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the Web more securely. Backed by its unrivalled Global Threat Intelligence, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. McAfee is relentlessly focused on constantly finding new ways to keep our customers safe. www.mcafee.com
www.businesswire.com/news/mcafee/20110822005011/en/McAfee-Partners-NEC-Secure-Android-Platform