Malware threats through Mobile Phone Applications
Mobile phone applications can now pose threats, through hidden malware. As there is little control, it is now easy for apps to maliciously charge consumers without their knowledge or consent.
One example is a 'free battery saver' app which contained malware that accesses the phone’s text message function and allowed texts to be automatically sent and received. Text messages were then sent that subscribed consumers to a premium rate subscription service without their knowledge or consent. This example has now been shut down, but shows the extent of the problem. Similarly Google has removed a large number of apps from the official Android App Market that were discovered to contain malware, the company has confirmed. The apps were essentially copies of other popular apps, modified slightly to contain a trojan horse.
New recommendations need to introduce clearer guidelines to ensure that consent to be charged is established and how pricing is structured. It is important that trust is maintained in the mobile application industry, otherwise this could have a very negative impact to our digital economy.
If You're Not Sure What An App Does Don't Download It.
Do Your Homework on the App first.