Android Malware or Just ‘Aggressive’ Advertising?

The Guardian: Have millions of Android smartphones been infected by newly identified piece of maware? Maybe–depending on which security firm you believe.

Symantec has sounded the alarm about 13 applications in the Android Market “are being used to push out Android.Counterclank,” which the firm calls “a bot-like threat” that could put user data at risk. However, Lookout Mobile Security had a different assessment: “We disagree with the assessment that this is malware, although we do believe that the Apperhand SDK [contained in the apps] is an aggressive form of ad network and should be taken seriously.”

Lookout conceded, “The average Android user probably doesn’t want applications that contain Apperhand on his or her phone,” but added, “We see no evidence of outright malicious behavior.”