A warning to Andriod users

An increase in hacker-related crime – targeted at Google Android users – has caused concern, with many hackers now using consumer apps to glean personal information and generate financial gain.

472 per cent of new viruses designed to attack Android gadgets have been detected in the past four months. This is an alarming rate, especially considering that Android accounts for more than half of the worldwide smartphone sales.

Hackers hide malicious code in popular apps that consumers download, programming them to collect sensitive information such as user identity, location or personal messages. Others are programmed to generate revenue by sending premium-rate text messages without the owner’s knowledge.