Matrix Fans are either pleased or embarrassed…

Recent news last week broke of and Android malware researchers where calling Agent Smith(yes that Agent Smith) that has apparently infected over 25 million android devices around the world, with the highest amount being in India. The malware itself is wuite an interesting piece of work, changing parts of an app’s code so it can display ads that it’s maker (a Chinese company that apparently “helps” developers publish apps internationally) wants you to see and gets revenue for those ads even if they are being used in apps they didn’t publish. It does this by disguising itself as a Google related app with a name like “Google updater” and actually aims for popular apps like Opera Mini, Whatsapp and Flipkart, and got it’s name due t the way it’s namesake took over other programs in the Matrix movies. What’s more worrying however, is that this malware spread through third-party Android app stores like 9Apps that don’t have the security safeguards in place to stop it like Google does for the Google play store, in fact malware like this, make that whole “install apps only from the Play Store” clause seem much more appealing, and makes us all think twice about installing Android Apps from anywhere else.

So should I not install Apps from other stores?

Well, if you do use other stores to get apps like 9Apps or even the Opera store, then you should probably stop downloading apps from there. The Google Play Store has always been the safest place to get apps online, and while it may not exactly be perfect (especially on low end hardware due to space issues) , it still serves the purpose of an online store best. These third party App stores tend to be desperate just to get high app numbers and barely test and app to see its behavior patterns or if it can harm your device, which is no wonder why agent smith spread through stores like this.

What about sites where I get APKs?

Android install packages or APKs tend to be really useful when keeping a backup installation of an app you tend to need a lot, in fact I personally keep some key app installs in my sd card on the android devices I use. But again, downloading APKs from websites doesn’t really solve the problem here. Most people who upload these get them from less than stellar sources as well, and while they may not be as high a target for malware like Agent Smith, those sites can have infected apps too.

Is there any way to avoid these problems?

Well, outside of the Play Store the safest bet would be just one step from that, if a friend downloads an app from the Play Store, they send it to you through an app like Shareit. This basically seems to be the only truly safe way to have APKs on you right now, and while it’s no fun, it’s unfortunately necessary if you wan to totally stay away from the grasp of malware like Agent Smith.