The Growing Risks to Android Users

When the Android platform was first released, everyone hailed it for its openness. It seemed that it would
provide an easier developing environment, along with cheaper apps for users. Unfortunately the downside of
an open platform is now making itself clear with an increase in the amount of malware that is being found.

The reasons for the increase in the threats to Android users are clear. Android handsets are powerful yet
affordable, and that has meant that the proportion of the smartphone market that are Android handsets are
increasing. In fact, around 40% of smartphone users now own Android handsets.

With more people using them, Android handsets become more of a target when it comes to the creation and
release of malware. Simply put, you don't waste your time creating malware that will only be able to infect
a few percent of users, so as the user base of Android increases the risks increase proportionally. In fact
the statistics now show that an Android user is now two and a half times more likely to be infected with
malware than just six months ago.

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What risks does Android malware present? There are a number of ways in which it can hurt you, from the
simplest such as slowing down your computer by having the malware always running in the background.
However it can also make your phone become a part of a botnet, continually using your data connection to
send and receive data, eating up your data allowance or running up your bill whilst infecting other
smartphones.

The worst risks though are presented by the malware that has premium rate dialers inbuilt, or software that
will enroll you with premium rate SMS services. These then increase your phone bill incredibly quickly, whilst
earning the creator of the malware a tidy profit.

Malware of this type is delivered up to users in several ways. You may download an app that is infected, or
possibly an app that is initially clean but that then pulls down infected updates. Lastly there are risks
from genuine apps that serve ads that may lead you to a fake market, loaded with infected apps.

How can you protect yourself from the risks? There are a number of apps that have been designed for the
purpose. They are anti-virus apps that are similar to the anti-virus software that you would run on your
home PC. There are both free and paid for apps, but it is important to ensure that you have chosen to
download a genuine app as even some of these can be infected with malware.

Ensuring that you only download your apps from genuine and trusted vendors is possibly one of the most
sensible ways of reducing your risks. The big name vendors often tend to offer the best options when it
comes to apps anyway, offering the most feature loaded, best looking and most functional apps. Combining
being careful with your downloads along with installing a free anti-virus app provides a cost effective and
way of keeping your phone safe, whilst still allowing you the choice of all of the wonderful Android handsets
that are on the market today.

Posted by incredible on Jan 21, 2012

Droid!

Verizon Motorola Droid A855 Android Cell Phone (no contract)
publisher: Motorola
ASIN: B0046NR5PK
sales rank: 453
price: $124.99 (new), $54.99 (used)

The first Android-powered phone for Verizon Wireless, the 3G-enabled Motorola DROID smartphone offers a full package of powerful mobile connectivity–from easy access to all your social networks and viewing of full Web sites, to spoken turn-by-turn directions thanks to the new Google Maps with Navigation Beta app. One of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available, the Motorola DROID also features a high-resolution 3.7-inch touchscreen display and a virtual onscreen keyboard that auto-rotates depending on the phone’s orientation. You’ll also be able to capture high-resolution images and DVD-quality videos on the go with its 5-megapixel camera with flash. The Motorola DROID offers the powerful Android 2.0 operating system, fast and reliable Verizon Wireless 3G connectivity, and a wealth of Google Mobile services–including the new Google Maps with Navigation app. With integrated Google technology, the Motorola DROID brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by Voice, YouTube, and Picasa. The DROID also provides easy access to both personal and corporate email, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. In addition to 3G connectivity, the DROID offers Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home networks, business networks, and Wi-Fi hotspots while on the go, and Bluetooth connectivity for both hands-free devices and stereo music streaming. Other features include memory expansion via microSD memory cards (a 16 GB card is included with the device), threaded text and picture messaging for seamless on the go conversations, Visual Voicemail capabilities, 3.5mm headset jack, and up to 6.4 hours of talk time.

Apple iPod touch 8GB (4th Generation) – Black – Current Version
publisher: Apple Computer
ASIN: B001FA1O0O
EAN: 0068888902328
sales rank: 6
price: $188.00 (new), $144.99 (used)

The world’s most popular portable gaming device is even more fun. Now available in black and white, iPod touch includes iOS 5 with over 200 new features, like iMessage, Notification Center, and Twitter integration. Send free, unlimited text messages over Wi-Fi with iMessage. Record HD video and make FaceTime calls. Visit the App Store to choose from over 500,000 apps. iPod touch also features iCloud, which stores your music, photos, apps, and moreÑand wirelessly pushes them to all your devices.

Programming Android
by: Zigurd Mednieks
publisher: O’Reilly Media, published: 2011-08-05
ASIN: 1449389694
EAN: 9781449389697
sales rank: 12134
price: $23.99 (new), $22.50 (used)

What does it take to build well-engineered Android applications? Explore Android’s core building blocks and APIs in depth with this authoritative guide, and learn how to create compelling apps that work on a full range of Android devices. You’ll work with proven approaches to app design and implementation–including application frameworks that you can use as a starting point for your own projects.
Delve into sensors, native development, 3D graphics, and many other topics, and discover how to build apps on the platform of your choice. If you’re an intermediate to advanced programmer, you’ll learn how to make great Android apps.

Learn how to use the Android SDK with the Eclipse IDE
Apply advanced Java concepts regardless of your experience with the language
Create an Android user interface that’s captivating and easy to navigate
Use the Fragment API for tablet user interfaces
Make your application compatible with Honeycomb and earlier versions
Understand Android’s unique database design issues and the role of SQLite
Use sensors and gestures to expand your app’s input beyond just tapping and scrolling
Explore Android APIs for multimedia, location, communication, NFC, and other applications

Verizon Motorola Droid A855 Android Cell Phone (no contract)
publisher: Motorola
ASIN: B0046NR5PK
sales rank: 453
price: $124.99 (new), $54.99 (used)

Samsung Exhibit II 4G Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)
publisher: Samsung
ASIN: B00607JBNO
EAN: 0610214628206
sales rank: 124
price: $185.00 (new)

Samsung Dart Prepaid Android Phone (T-Mobile)

Posted by incredible on Jan 20, 2012

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The Growing Risks to Android Users

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