Topic: Android Malware Spreads Through QR Code

[Pez]

Last week, there was quite a buzz in the mobile-malware researchers community about a new Android malware. It came to light not because of its sophistication or complexity but due to the simple method that it uses to spread.
 
Most Android malware we have witnessed are repackaged malicious apps made available in black markets or third-party markets. This latest Android malware follows the same repacking path as its precursors. The only difference with this malware is that it uses quick response (QR) code to distribute the malicious link. We have already discussed in a recent blog that QR code can be used by attackers to spread malicious files.
 
A QR code is a type of matrix barcode to store information. These codes are increasingly found on product labels, billboards, and business cards. Why are QR codes so popular? The amount of data they hold. QR codes can carry 7,089 numeric characters or 4,296 alphanumeric characters and can store up to 2KB of data.
 
All one needs is a smart phone with a camera and QR reader application to scan these codes. The codes can direct users to websites or online videos, and send text messages and emails.



Orginal Written: Monday, October 24, 2011 at 11:15am by Arun Sabapathy

To read more about this:
http://blogs.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/android-malware-spreads-through-qr-code

[Samker]

Pez, thanks for the heads-up. 

This look like really big problem...