During the last week of February, the Android developers were alarmed with the spread of malicious applications in the Android market. These malicious applications took over vulnerable Android versions (2.2.1 and below) and got hold of the Androids’ IMEI/IMSI (codes which are unique per mobile device).
These applications also got to access other data in the Android devices they infected, so a few minutes after the discovery of these malicious applications, Google has taken steps to remove these applications and protect the users from ever downloading these applications again.
The Android team removed these applications from the Android market and banned the developer accounts from which these applications originated. The police have already been contacted regarding the spread of these applications. The team is remotely removing these applications from affected devices. They are currently adding more security measures so as to prevent similar exploits to be spread in the Android market again.
The update on the Android Market Security Tool was released on March 1, 2011 and users who are affected will automatically be notified through email and the tool will be automatically pushed to their devices. Within 72 hours of being affected, you will receive an email about the Android Market Security Tool and you can also see that the security tool has already been installed in your device.
You don’t need to do anything upon receipt of the email as the malicious application will be removed automatically.
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Tags: android malicious apps, Android Market Security Tool, Android Market Security Tool download within 72 hours, Android Market Security Tool features, download
