New Spyware On Android Devices Identified

PRESS RELEASE

BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- On the heels of Hong Tou Tou, another two spyware programs on Android devices have been captured by NetQin Mobile Inc., a global leader in mobile security services. Named "SW.SecurePhone" and "SW.Qieting", the spyware may cause serious privacy leakage.

Once installed, SW.SecurePhone will run in the background without any icon displayed. It will monitor the phone and collect data to save on the SD card. The data, including messages, call log, location of the phone, recorded sounds around the phone and pictures in the phone, will then be uploaded to a remote server every 20 minutes. This will compromise privacy as well as use internet traffic. This spyware is mainly distributed in the U.S through downloading from internet.

SW.Qieting automatically forwards messages received to a monitoring phone without the user's awareness. Meanwhile, there is no icon displayed after installation, hardly can the user be aware of the application being installed.

Security threats on Android devices are not fictions given the facts that more and more mobile threats are being captured. The typical ones include Geinimi identified by NetQin last November and Hong Tou Tou last week. Users should be more cautious than ever when enjoying the benefits of Android devices.

To stay safe, NetQin suggests users follow the tips below when using the phone:

1. Download applications from trusted sources and do check reviews, ratings and developer information before downloading. 2. Never blindly accept application requests. Closely monitor permissions requested by any application; an application should not request to do more than what it offers in its official list of features; 3. Be on alert for unusual fee deduction, as this may be a sign that your phone is infected. 4. Install a trusted security application to protect your phone from security threats. NetQin Mobile Anti-virus is protecting millions of users from mobile threats with its features of anti-virus, real-time protection, etc. NetQin Mobile Anti-virus 4.6 is available to download at http://www.netqin.com/products/antivirus/ and on Android Market.

About NetQin

Founded in 2005, backed by Sequoia, Mayfield, Fidelity and Ceyuan VC, NetQin Mobile Inc. (referred to as "NetQin" hereafter) is a global leader in mobile security services, delivers proven mobile security solutions based on a cloud-computing model, including anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spam, privacy protection, data backup and recovery, as well as data management - to more than