Nokia malware report shows surge in mobile device infections in 2016
September 01 2016 - 3:05AM
- Mobile device infections rose 96 percent in the first half of
2016, reaching an all-time high in April
- Smartphones accounted for 78 percent of all mobile network
infections
- Malware is becoming more sophisticated, utilizing multiple
methods to bypass safeguards and take permanent control of
devices
ESPOO, Finland, Sept. 1, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nokia
today issued the Nokia Threat Intelligence Report - H1 2016,
revealing a sharp rise in the occurrence of smartphone malware
infections in the first half of the year. Issued twice per
year, the r eport examines general trends and
statistics for malware infections in devices connected through
mobile and fixed networks.
According to the report, smartphone infections nearly doubled
between January and July compared to the latter half of 2015, with
smartphones accounting for 78 percent of all mobile network
infections. The malware infection rate hit an all-time high in
April, with infections striking 1.06 percent of all mobile devices
tracked. In addition, devices based on the Android(TM) operating
system were the most targeted mobile platform by far, representing
74 percent of all mobile malware infections.
The report also highlighted the emergence of new, more
sophisticated malware that can be more difficult to detect and
remove.
Kevin McNamee, head of the Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab,
said: "Today attackers are targeting a broader range of
applications and platforms, including popular mobile games and new
IoT devices, and developing more sophisticated and destructive
forms of malware. Nokia's network-based security solution is the
best approach to address this growing threat to all types of
devices. It detects and prevents malware activity that device-based
solutions may miss."
Key findings of the latest Nokia Threat Intelligence Report
include:
- 96-percent surge in smartphone infections: The average
smartphone infection rate increased 96 percent in the first half of
2016, compared to the second half of 2015 (0.49 percent vs 0.25
percent).
- New all-time high: In April 2016, mobile
infections hit an all-time high, with 1.06 percent of devices
infected by a range of malware, including ransomware, spyphone
applications, SMS Trojans, personal information theft and
aggressive adware.
- One out of 120 smartphones infected: In April, one out
of every 120 smartphones had some type of malware infection.
- Android OS hit hardest: Android smartphones were the
most targeted mobile platform, accounting for 74 percent of all
malware infections compared to Window/PC systems (22 percent), and
other platforms, including iOS devices (4 percent).
- 75 percent jump in malware samples: The number of
infected Android apps in Nokia's malware database soared 75
percent, from 5.1 million in December 2015 to 8.9 million in July
2016.
- Mobile game infections detected within hours: Downloaded
mobile applications are a key conduit for malware attacks. The
Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab detected infected copies of an
extremely popular mobile game within hours after they were posted
on untrusted third-party download sites.
- More sophisticated malware: Malware is becoming
increasingly more sophisticated, as new variations attempt to root
the phone in order to provide complete control and establish a
permanent presence on the device.
- Top three mobile threats: The top three mobile malware
threats were Uapush.A, Kasandra.B and SMSTracker, together
accounting for 47 percent of all infections.
- Fixed residential network infections rise: The overall
monthly infection rate in residential fixed broadband networks
reached an average of 12 percent in the first half of 2016,
compared to 11 percent in late 2015, primarily due to an increase
in moderate threat level adware. These infections are mostly due to
malware on Windows PCs and laptops in the home, but also include
infections on smartphones using home WiFi.
Data in the Nokia Threat Intelligence Report is aggregated from
deployments of the Nokia NetGuard Endpoint Security solution around
the globe, covering more than 100 million devices, including mobile
phones, laptops, notepads and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Resources:
- Nokia Threat Intelligence Report - H1 2016
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About the Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab
The Nokia Threat Intelligence Lab focuses on the behavior of
malware network communications to develop detection rules that
identify infections based on command and control communication and
other network behavior. This approach enables the detection of
malware in the service provider's network and the detection rules
developed form the foundation of Nokia's network-based malware
detection product suite.
About Nokia Nokia is a global leader in the technologies
that connect people and things. Powered by the innovation of Nokia
Bell Labs and Nokia Technologies, the company is at the forefront
of creating and licensing the technologies that are increasingly at
the heart of our connected lives.
With state-of-the-art software, hardware and services for any
type of network, Nokia is uniquely positioned to help communication
service providers, governments, and large enterprises deliver on
the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the Internet of Things.
www.nokia.com
Media Enquiries Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10
448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com
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