Posted for www.miamiforrussian.com
Android users: Beware of QR codes
SEATTLE – Nov. 8, 2011 – A growing attack to smartphones, particularly Google’s Android, is coming from QR codes. Smartphones can scan these bar codes and connect instantly with a website or other location to instantly connect with information. QR codes have been catching on in marketing, and are widely adopted by real estate professionals.
But watch before you scan, says one malware security researcher.
QR codes have become a main target for viruses and hackers who use them to steal personal data from a phone, malware researcher Sergey Golovanov with Kaspersky Lab in Moscow told Forbes.com.
“QR malware codes are mainly spreading through Android,” Golovanov says. “We haven’t found any QR malware for the iPhones yet. Everyone is looking for the Android users. We don’t know why. But one of the reasons is probably because iPhone has a closed operating system, and Android has an open operating system, so it’s easier to create software for them.”
When you unknowingly scan a malware QR code with your smartphone, you’ll be redirected to a malicious web address that may end with “.APK” or “.JAR” file extensions. However, Golovanov says there’s no way to be certain when your device has been affected by one of these malware QR codes.
Source: “Is the iPhone Safer Than Google’s Android?” Forbes (Nov. 3, 2011)
© Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
Android users: Beware of QR codes
But watch before you scan, says one malware security researcher.
QR codes have become a main target for viruses and hackers who use them to steal personal data from a phone, malware researcher Sergey Golovanov with Kaspersky Lab in Moscow told Forbes.com.
“QR malware codes are mainly spreading through Android,” Golovanov says. “We haven’t found any QR malware for the iPhones yet. Everyone is looking for the Android users. We don’t know why. But one of the reasons is probably because iPhone has a closed operating system, and Android has an open operating system, so it’s easier to create software for them.”
When you unknowingly scan a malware QR code with your smartphone, you’ll be redirected to a malicious web address that may end with “.APK” or “.JAR” file extensions. However, Golovanov says there’s no way to be certain when your device has been affected by one of these malware QR codes.
Source: “Is the iPhone Safer Than Google’s Android?” Forbes (Nov. 3, 2011)
© Copyright 2011 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
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