The underhanded thoughts of criminally-minded people are focused yet again on Android. This time it is more personal. This trojan can record a phone conversation.
Google Android is keeping the mobile security industry busy. This is not the first trojan to strike at this mobile operating system. The new malicious file is called “Golddream.A”. It uses a unique tactic different from the last two or three trojan versions. This one can send the audio of a phone call to the MicroSD card of the infected smartphone. Why would a criminal want to send your voice to your flash card? For one, if they can get your voice, they can verify all those services that identify users by their voice imprint. Voice recognition is not a new technology and every person has their own specific pattern. If a criminal can access a bank account or fake a login with the stolen voice of a victim, they are that much happier. Some examples of how the trojan could be used is to use voice recognition software to “read” passwords or answers to verification questions. If a bank uses voice recognition software that asks for a social security number, the trojan can discover this also.
The Android platform is the target of attacks, but having an actual recording of a person’s voice is a new strategy. Similar to the spying of international agents, this malicious software can totally ruin your day. It was found by a group called “Computer Associates”. They are security researchers with experience in areas other than Android devices. The Golddream.A is a morphing type of malware that would record the calling habits of callers who had infected Android smartphones. The information could be transmitted to a remote server and accessed later by the noxious individual. This is a more advanced version of the malicious Golddream software.
As far as statistics go, it is already known that eight percent of Android apps are leaking personal data. A recent study of 10,000 apps found 800 “might” be compromising data. Another security group named Dasient was in charge of that study. Infected Android apps are the source of many of these malevolent apps and if they can get root access, they have complete control of the smartphone. The Droiddream trojan had such access, making it one of the worst infections an Android smartphone could have. As always, for those who do not know how to remove malicious files from their computers, in this case a smartphone, it is prudent to use an anti-virus to combat against things like Golddream.A.
