New data suggests that mobile malware is becoming more advanced in its capacity to target smartphone users, according to internet security firm Kaspersky.
In a report published for the years 2012-13, Kaspersky found that in 2013 over 143,000 new modifications of malicious programs targeting mobile devices were detected, indicating a rapid increase in the amount of programs that exist.
Additionally, over 3.9m installation packages were used by cybercriminals in 2013 to distribute mobile malware - a figure that rises to 10m unique installation packages over the two years.
The report reads: "The mobile malware sector is growing rapidly both technologically and structurally. It is safe to say that today’s cybercriminal is no longer a lone hacker but part of a serious business operation.
"It is now clear that a distinct industry has developed and is becoming more focused on extracting profits, which is clearly evident from the functionality of the malware."
Concerns have been raised about the percentage of Android users being targeted, with Kaspersky explaining that over 98 per cent of the malware was aimed at smartphone users that use the popular operating system, highlighting its "vulnerabilities and growing popularity".
Worryingly enough, the number of banking trojans circulating is also increasing. Kaspersky say the number of mobile malware modifications for phishing, stealing bank card information and money from bank accounts represented a twenty-fold increase, with 2,500 infections prevented by the company in 2013 alone.
“The cyber industry of mobile malware is becoming more focused on making profits more effectively, i.e., mobile phishing, theft of credit card information, money transfers from bank cards to mobile phones and from phones to the criminals’ e-wallets,” explains Kaspersky.
