QUOTE
Carrier IQ detection tool converted to premium SMS Trojan
Android malware creators exploit the Carrier IQ controversy to distribute a premium SMS Trojan
By Lucian Constantin
January 11, 2012 10:46 AM ET
IDG News Service - Android malware writers are taking advantage of the controversy surrounding Carrier IQ's smartphone tracking software in order to distribute a premium SMS Trojan, security researchers from Symantec warn.
"Android.Qicsomos is a modified version of an open source project meant to detect Carrier IQ on a device, with additional code to dial a premium SMS number," said Symantec malware analyst Irfan Asrar in a blog post on Tuesday.
The Carrier IQ controversy began in November 2011, when security researcher Trevor Eckhart published a detailed analysis of a monitoring agent developed by the company and preloaded by many mobile carriers on devices sold to customers.
The Carrier IQ software is designed to collect usage data from smartphone devices in order to provide carriers with statistics about dropped calls, service interruptions, battery usage and similar information.
However, Eckhart claimed that the software can also be used for more privacy-intrusive purposes, leading some users to look for ways to remove it from their devices.
Detailed information:
http://www.computerw...mium_SMS_Trojan
Android malware creators exploit the Carrier IQ controversy to distribute a premium SMS Trojan
By Lucian Constantin
January 11, 2012 10:46 AM ET
IDG News Service - Android malware writers are taking advantage of the controversy surrounding Carrier IQ's smartphone tracking software in order to distribute a premium SMS Trojan, security researchers from Symantec warn.
"Android.Qicsomos is a modified version of an open source project meant to detect Carrier IQ on a device, with additional code to dial a premium SMS number," said Symantec malware analyst Irfan Asrar in a blog post on Tuesday.
The Carrier IQ controversy began in November 2011, when security researcher Trevor Eckhart published a detailed analysis of a monitoring agent developed by the company and preloaded by many mobile carriers on devices sold to customers.
The Carrier IQ software is designed to collect usage data from smartphone devices in order to provide carriers with statistics about dropped calls, service interruptions, battery usage and similar information.
However, Eckhart claimed that the software can also be used for more privacy-intrusive purposes, leading some users to look for ways to remove it from their devices.
Detailed information:
http://www.computerw...mium_SMS_Trojan
