Ransomware becomes biggest security threat on Android
Android users, beware. Ransomware for your favorite mobile operating system is picking up -- it's now the main threat in the US, UK, Germany, Denmark and Australia, in the first half of 2016.
These are the figures from security organization Bitdefender. Its report claims the Android SLocker ransomware family accounts for almost half of all mobile malware reported by infected devices in the first half of 2016 in Denmark.
In Germany, it's at 25 percent, in Australia 21.54 percent and 16.48 percent in the UK. The US has had the least troubles so far, sitting at 16 percent.
The ransomware itself is different from what we've seen on computers. It does not actually encrypt data on the device -- it simply changes the PIN or lock screen, and demands payment if you want to unlock it.
It spreads in two different ways. One is through malicious APK files, which users download and install, despite the fact that Android doesn't recommend it. The other way is tricky: spam messages and malvertising, sometimes appearing even on legitimate sites, trick people into downloading malicious apps, saying they need a special video player to run certain content or something similar.
Bitdefender says victims are ready to pay up to $500 to recover their data, and half of the victims actually do. UK consumers are the ones willing to pay most -- up to £400. Germans are ready to shell out €210, while Americans are willing to give $350.
Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Future plc Publication. All rights reserved.
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