ESET, an EU-based security company, recorded an increase of over 50% in the detection of Android ransomware in 2016, which is historically the highest number of attempts to penetrate devices. ESET presents the latest annual data based on LiveGrid technology in the white paper "Trends in Android Ransomware”. The findings are revealed just ahead of the Mobile World Congress, which takes place in Barcelona (February 27 – March 2, 2017).
“Overall we've seen an increase in malware detection software on Android devices by around 20%, with ransomware on this platform growing at an ever faster rate. Although ESET recorded the largest increase in the first half of 2016, we cannot say with any certainty that this threat will disappear anytime soon,” says Chief Technology ESET Officer Juraj Malcho, who will deal with this topic at MWC 2017.
The creators of crypto-ransomware, which encrypts files and locks the screen of devices, have practiced over the past 12 months copying effective techniques used during attacks desktop malware. They have also developed their own more sophisticated methods specifically to target Android devices.
In addition to the most widespread intimidation tactics used by screen-locked police ransomware, cybercriminals are trying to keep a low profile by encrypting the malicious charge and "digging" even deeper into the infected applications.
2015, ESET had noticed that the interest of Android ransomware creators had shifted from users of devices in Eastern Europe to users in the US. However, last year there was an increasing interest in the Asian market. "Indeed, we can say that the Android-attacked ransomware has become a large-scale global threat," adds Malcho.
For full access to the findings, download the ESET white paper “Trends in Android Ransomware” (PDF)
