Malware Caution from ZDnet

[GKL]

Hi all !

I was researching online to stay updated on how to avoid malware in Android apps and read some interesting articles, one revealed that there are "clone" apps that look like well known apps but have malware included, ZDnet (a computer magazine web site) gave the following caution that makes sense -

(quote from ZDnet)
Please only install apps from Google Play unless you are absolutely certain who wrote the software you want to install. Fighting malware isn't just the responsibility of security firms: you also have to be smart about what you install.
(end quote)

Hope that helps others avoid unknowingly installing malware to begin with !

 

[lunatic59]

ZDnet is the National Enquirer of Techblogs. Sorry, but all they are interested in is sensational headlines, stirring up controversy and page hits. I have long since abandoned taking anything they say seriously.

As to the information you provide, it's quite misleading. Yes, there are pirated clone apps with malware. You find them on unauthorized file sharing sites, usually offering paid apps for free. By making those statements in succession, you make it sound as if Google Play were a significant intrusion vector for malware, while I won't say it never happens, it is insignificant. I just want to make sure you know how they roll over on the ZD blogs.

While it does make sense to be cautious about what you install on your devices, Google Play is quite safe (as are other legitimate app sites, Like Amazon and getjar.)

 

[GKL]

ZDnet is the National Enquirer of Techblogs. Sorry, but all they are interested in is sensational headlines, stirring up controversy and page hits. I have long since abandoned taking anything they say seriously.

As to the information you provide, it's quite misleading. Yes, there are pirated clone apps with malware. You find them on unauthorized file sharing sites, usually offering paid apps for free. By making those statements in succession, you make it sound as if Google Play were a significant intrusion vector for malware, while I won't say it never happens, it is insignificant. I just want to make sure you know how they roll over on the ZD blogs.

While it does make sense to be cautious about what you install on your devices, Google Play is quite safe (as are other legitimate app sites, Like Amazon and getjar.)

Thanks for the reply, that would surprise me about ZDnet, I had thought they were behind publishing several legit computer magazines, unless they had changed from what I heard in the past.

How about Cnet ? (they do reviews, ect. on computer related stuff)

Anyhow, in the Znet article they were not saying Google Play was a concern, but rather to only download from them and not from other sites unless you knew who wrote the apps on the other sites.

I am new to the android market and am still learning, and it seems that Google Play is supposed to be the safest place to download from, are there other legit sites as safe as Google Play ?

 

[lunatic59]

I was a subscriber to ZDnet for years and they have really gone downhill. Actually it's been a slow slide over the past 4 or so years. I rarely go there anymore and when I do, it's always the same inflammatory type of articles ... This company trumps that company into oblivion, black ops security thread being delivered by Oreo

 

[GKL]

I was a subscriber to ZDnet for years and they have really gone downhill. Actually it's been a slow slide over the past 4 or so years. I rarely go there anymore and when I do, it's always the same inflammatory type of articles ... This company trumps that company into oblivion, black ops security thread being delivered by Oreo

 

[NetNoggin]

Another feature of Google Play is their Kill Switch. They have the ability to remotely uninstall apps without asking your permission. That allows them to kill bad apps that have slipped past their filters. Apple has this too. I believe that Amazon does _not_ currently have a kill switch.

This being Internet advice... take it for what it's worth