Anti-virus apps on Android easily duped

Think your Android device is safe? Researchers have discovered that anti-virus programs on Androids can be easily bypassed. The researchers (at Northwestern University and North Carolina State University) developed a tool called DroidChameleon that can modify known malware apps to keep them from detecting the program.

Something as simple as changing the package name in the metadata was enough for the scanners to consider the program harmless. In total, all ten anti-virus programs tested could be fooled. The tested programs include AVG, Dr. Web, ESET, ESTSoft, Kaspersky, Lookout, Symantec, Trend Micro, Webroot and Zoner.

The situation improved from 2012 to 2013, dropping from a high of 45% to 16%, mainly attributed to increased usage of content-based matching. But they also warn users to be particularly wary of installing apps from untrusted sources. They warn the user to stay away from sources outside of the official Google Play download catalogue.