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Millions Download New Trojan Discovered in Android Market

 & Sara Yin Junior software analyst

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Android malware SW

Symantec has discovered a new Android botnet that is still thriving in the Android Market and has already been downloaded several million times this year.

The Trojan 'Android.Counterclank' was packaged in at least 13 free games published by three different publishers, making it harder to trace. Symantec notified Google on Thursday and at press time, 9 of the apps were still available in Google's official app store. Click on the publisher's name to see which apps are still up:  

Published by iApps7 Inc:
Counter Elite Force
Counter Strike Ground Force
CounterStrike Hit Enemy
Heart Live Wallpaper 
Hit Counter Terrorist
Stripper Touch Girl 

From publisher Ogre Games:
Balloon Game
Be Millionaire
Wild Man

From publisher redmicapps:
Pretty women lingerie puzzle
Sexy Girls Photo Game
Sexy Girls Puzzle
Sexy Women Puzzle

According to Symantec researcher Irfan Asrar, ‘Counterclank’ can carry out commands from a remote control center on your mobile device. According to Symantec's virus definition, it steals information and can potentially display ads on your device.

“When the package is executed, a service with the same name may be seen running on a compromised device. Another sign of an infection is the presence of the Search icon above on the home screen,” Asrar wrote. 

No information on geographic scope has been given, but Asrar said that the sheer number of downloads, 1-5 million, makes it the most widespread piece of mobile malware found so far this year. 

About Our Expert

Sara Yin

Sara Yin

Junior software analyst

Sara Yin is a junior analyst in the Software, Internet, and Networking group at PCmag.com, pouring most of her energy into app testing and security matters at Security Watch with Neil Rubenking. She lies awake at night pondering the state of mobile security (half-true). Prior to joining PCMag.com, Sara spent five years reporting for publications in New York City (Huffington Post), Hong Kong (South China Morning Post), and Singapore (Campaign Asia, Men's Health). Follow her on Twitter at @SecurityWatch and @sarapyin, or contact her the old school way: email. That's sara_yin AT pcmag.com.

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