22 Android Apps Removed by Google due to RuFraud Malware

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Google is working on weeding out apps from Android Market for fraudulently accessing European smartphones’ SMS systems to send messages to premium numbers at the expense of subscribers. Google is remotely killing these apps, but security experts say that hackers are likely to be working on exploits in other regions, too.

Google is dealing with another wave of malware in Android Market, and is quickly acting to catch the perpetrators. Working in cooperation with security firm Lookout Mobile, Google has so far found 22 applications and have removed these from Market. Google is also sending a remote kill code that will uninstall said apps from affected Android smartphones.

Said malware are actually free apps, games and wallpaper art that ask users to click a big “Next” button after a dubious terms-of-service agreement text. Given the obscure nature of the ToS sceen, users tend to tap “Next” without knowing that the app will then be granted permissions to access the phone’s messaging system. Users from targeted European countries will then only realize that their phones have been sending SMS messages to premium numbers when they get their bill (or when their prepaid balance runs out).

U.S. users are unaffected by the scam, which currently targets Eastern European users, according to Lookout Mobile’s senior security product manager Derek Halliday. Scammers are starting to target other regions, though, and are moving westwards. Lookout Mobile is now watchful of similar activity elsewhere, and is eyeing any activity targeted toward U.S. users.

Meanwhile, Google has been criticized for not having a more stringent application screening processes, which will help ensure better security in Android Market. The low barrier to entry is said to result in more openness, but also a bigger risk of viruses, trojan horses and other such malware. entering the system. This is in stark contrast to Apple, which implements a thorough application and screening process for inclusion of iOS applications into the App Store.