Android Trojan Charges For Premium SMS Services

Thanks to the good folks at Lookout Mobile Security, they have managed to uncover another Android malware in the form of a trojan. The malware is called GGTracker and it can’t be found in the Android Market, but actually shows up in in-app advertisements, where users who click the ad will be redirected to a page that looks remarkably like the Android Market, featuring a app for free download, sometimes called “Battery Saver” or “Sexy Pics”.

Upon installation the app will sign you up for premium SMS services, something which you may be totally unaware of until your next phone bill arrives and you get the shock of your life when you discover you accumulated $100 worth of premium SMS bills. Granted experienced users should probably know better than to install apps from a advertisement but there are still tons of new smartphone users still entering the market and they may not be aware of the legitimate sources where users can download apps, and probably think they’re getting a good deal from these ads.

Exercising caution will take you a long way in preventing your smartphone from getting infected with malware and also potentially saving you a very expensive phone bill.