5 signs your Android could be infected

A GUEST POST FROM BITDEFENDER MOBILE SECURITY

Android malware is spreading at a dizzying pace, posing a threat to millions of smartphone users

worldwide and attracting criminals with dreams of untold illicit wealth. In the second half of 2012 alone,

Bitdefender found, malware spiked 292 percent from the first half.

Android malware is also becoming harder to detect for the average smartphone user who pays little

attention to security as criminals learn to cover their tracks.

Fortunately, most malware creators are not rocket scientists – and a user doesn’t have to be a computer

scientist to combat them. A few signs can alert users to an infected device:

1. Racked-Up Phone Bills

Android malware often infects devices and starts sending SMS messages to premium-rated numbers.

While its effects are easily seen in your phone bill, not all Trojans are so greedy. They may sometimes

send an SMS message once a month to avoid suspicions, or they may uninstall themselves after

punching a serious hole in your budget.

Whether using a monthly plan or a pay-as-you-go subscription, it should be easy to figure out such

message-sending malware has found its way onto a device.

2. Data Plan Spikes

Malware that smuggles data from your device to a third party can often be detected by an examination

of your data plan bill. Significant changes in your download or upload patterns could be a sign that

someone, or something, has control over your device.

Setting up data meter quotas might help figure out if a device has been compromised by data-

broadcasting malware. It will also help dodge high phone bills.

3. Battery Drain

Android users who don’t compulsively install apps or perform other battery-straining activities have a

good idea of how long their battery should last. Malware can give itself away because batteries drain

quicker than usual with such e-threats installed.

Either hiding in plain sight by pretending to be a regular application or staying hidden from prying eyes,

abnormal battery drainage is usually a malware footprint.

4. Performance Clogging

Depending on device hardware specifications, malware infestation may cause serious performance

problems as it tries to read, write, or broadcast data. Performance clogging is yet another sign that

malware might be present on your device.

Checking RAM (Random Access Memory) use or CPU load could reveal the presence of malware that’s

actively running on the device.

5. Dropped Calls and Disruptions

Mobile malware could affect ongoing or incoming calls. Dropped calls or strange disruptions during a

conversation might reveal the existence of mobile malware that’s interfering.

If carriers are not to be blamed for poor service, then some strand of mobile malware could be blamed.

Calling service providers and clarifying whether the issue is at their end, should be a priority – if they’re

not having problems, someone or something may be trying to eavesdrop on conversations or perform

other activities.

Stay Safe and be Mindful

Staying safe from any type of malware is as easy as installing mobile security software that offers

around-the-clock protection. Trusting antivirus software to keep your device safe from intrusions should

be a top priority. The harm that malware can cause should never be underestimated.

A wise move it to scrutinize every permission an Android app asks of the user – many apps ask for

invasive permissions when they don’t need them at all.

The Android builds most targeted by malware are the common ones – Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich,

and Jelly Bean. Some 87.4 percent of Android users at risk from malware are using one of these builds,

according to the Android Developer Dashboard. Users of these builds should remain extra vigilant.

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