[April 30, 2012]

AhnLab Reports the Analysis of the Best Apps in the Android Market

AhnLab, Inc. (http://global.ahnlab.com), a leading provider of integrated security solutions, today announced that its research has identified many popular Android (News - Alert) apps are asking for excessive permissions to access to the user data.

AhnLab analyzed 178 best rated android apps using AhnLab Mobile Smart Defense (AMSD), cloud-based application analysis platform which verifies the security of Android apps. AMSD scanned 178 apps in five different types of permissions including: Personal information access, service information access, location information access, service charging and device information access. In this analysis, the degree of risk was marked on a scale from 1 to 100 by each type of permission, and the apps recorded 60 and above are classified as malicious.

According to the app analysis data extracted by AMSD, 42.6% of all apps examined are requiring excessive permissions for device information access. 39.3% of apps are asking for excessive permissions for location information access, followed by personal information access permission at 33.1%, and service charging at 8.4. None of apps require excessive service information data.

With this kind of potential threat - excessive permissions to access to the user data-, malicious hackers can steal the victim's mobile banking information by snatching the texts and emails in victimized smart phones. Attackers also can make clone smart phones or deliver unwanted pay-per-use services with leaked device information. With stolen location information, hackers can locate the victims to stalk.

"As many users selects Andorid based smartphones, the number of malicious codes which target personal information or payment information is also increasing," said HoWoong Lee, director of ASEC(AhnLab Security E-response Center). "This kind of malicious behavior can be even more dangerous when it comes to stealing the banking data. It is very hard for the victims to notice the malicious behavior as it is run behind the normal application," he continued.

To prevent the potential threat, the comprehensive and mobile-focused banking security solution is essential. AhnLab's AOS for Mobile ensures comprehensive security in mobile banking environment with the unique features including;

• real-time monitoring of malicious codes on smart phones
• terminating all the programs running in the background during the bank application is running in the foreground
• blocking other network transaction when the bank application is executed
• displaying warning messages for rooted phones

AOS for Mobile is the mobile version of AOS, the comprehensive security solution for online banking, selected by several of the world's most famous banks including Citibank Korea, Banamex, Banco Santander and Cornerstone Community Bank. AOS for Mobile is now available as the SDK (Software Development Kit) for Android-based banking app developers.

About AhnLab, Inc.

Headquartered in South-Korea, AhnLab Inc. (KRX:053800) develops industry-leading security solutions and provides professional services that are designed to secure and protect critical business and personal information. As a leading innovator in the information security arena since 1988, AhnLab's cutting edge products and services have been fulfilling the stringent security requirements of both enterprises and individual users. AhnLab's products and services include anti-virus solutions, network, mobile and online game security, security management and consulting services. Today, AhnLab boasts a network of sales and research operations in more than 20 countries worldwide.

[ Back To Mobile Security Homepage's Homepage ]