Android phones versions lower than 2.2.2 hacked by apps from three publishers

By Cesar Ortiz
Multiple sources state that Google has removed free and popular apps from the Android Market published by Myournet. These real apps had been hacked by Myournet to include malware and republished. They steal sensitive data from the device. The malware can also connect to a remote server and download additional code. Phones running Android 2.2.2 and above appear to have been immune.

Others applications by publishers Kingmall2010 and we20090202 are also being removed. If you are currently using any one of these apps, perform an uninstall and upgrade your phone. The applications in question are mainly knockoffs of popular games. Others are utilities and they are probably easy to mistake for the real thing. Once installed the apps will root your smart phone, and steal information such as your International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), mobile provider, user information, and other data. The malicious app also installs a backdoor through which other malware can be loaded in your Android phone.

Google has removed these scary applications from the Android Market, but these have allegedly been downloaded 50,000 times already. Google is remotely removing the apps from devices, although any backdoor code and apps that might have been installed will have to be removed manually. Check out the Google link below for more information.

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/03/update-on-android-market-security.html