Symantec: Virus Android Coming from Ad Network

Antivirus maker, Symantec, said that the virus found in 13 applications from the Android Market via the network attack ad in the program. Applications that have been downloaded by millions of Android users.

Symantec named 13 such applications as "Android Counterclank" and classified as a Trojan horse or malware. Symantec also found that the application is also indicated similar "TonClank Android", which is also called Plankton. This species is found on the Symantec research at the University of North Carolina State in June 2011.

Android application that consists of Counterclank Android code has been downloaded 1 million to 5 million times. "This is a malware with the largest number of downloads. In general, this malware will change the look of the browser, add a desktop shortcut, and delete bookmarks," said Kevin Haley Director of Symantec Security to Computer World.

Symantec has reported 13 applications that contain the code to the Android Counterclank Google, but Google refused to withdraw it from the Android Market. According to Google, these applications do not violate the policy.

Symantec to understand why the attacks are so easy to get Android applications. Android applications are available at very cheap, even free, so users do not have a lot of thinking to install any application available on Android Market. Users can not tell which code containing viruses, malware, spyware, or adware.

"We hope in future to inform the user about the security status of the applications available on Android Market," said Haley.

Antivirus company Symantec is not the only one who rejected Google. Look Security, Symantec kompetititor, had previously been rejected by Google about the claims of the application virus.