UPDATED 11:53 EDT / OCTOBER 13 2011

Monetizing Mobile Security: the Good and the Ugly

Let’s start with the bad news. Android’s currently dealing with a fake Netflix app that looks identical to the original one. It was first spotted on an online user forum, and works by sending the user’s log-in details to a remote server, then flashing a message claiming some sort incompatibility concerns with the hardware before it tries to uninstall itself.

The stolen log-in information will be the key to hacking more of the owner’s accounts and access more information. However, it’s unclear how cyberpunks can make real money off this hackjob when sites only display the last digits of the credit card numbers.

This scheme rides into the wave of confusion about the real Netflix app.  The company first released a limited Android app but decided to publish one with support for multiple devices anyway.  Also, a malicious app is normally the same as the legitimate app but only modified a little to make way for malware. However, it turns out that the fake Netflix app is an entirely different program.

“A gap in availability, combined with the large interest of users attempting to get the popular service running on their Android device, created the perfect cover for Andoid.Fakeneflic to exploit,” Symantec said.

The rise in Android malware has led to significant advancements for mobile security.  McAfee Enterprise Mobility Management software and McAfee Mobile Security software, is basking in its new Enterprise Mobility Management software, a comprehensive security solution offering full mobile device and data protection, anti-malware, and easy integration with McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator platform for a variety of mobile devices.

“McAfee’s goal is to be the clear leader in making the mobile experience safe for everyone from consumers to enterprises,” said John Dasher, senior director, mobile security at McAfee. “These awards are a great validation of McAfee’s work toward that goal during the last year. We will continue to enhance our products, designed from the ground up to provide advanced and efficient security protection for smartphone and tablet users.”

Motorola’s 3LM, meanwhile, is announcing the availability of its enterprise security platform for Android phones this week. It claims to secure not only the apps written for a specific security platform but all the apps running on the phone.

We also have AT&T collaborating with an enterprise device management software maker to create AT&T Toggle, a software app that separates sensitive corporate data from personal data for employees using Android smartphones or tablets for work and play. Toggle is based on a software developed by Enterproid.


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