Evolution of malware and security in Android based environments
Käppi, Samuli (2024)
Käppi, Samuli
2024
Tieto- ja sähkötekniikan kandidaattiohjelma - Bachelor's Programme in Computing and Electrical Engineering
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-09-18
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202409038520
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202409038520
Tiivistelmä
The Android operating system’s massive rise in popularity is most likely caused by the open-source aspect of the operating system and the transition to smart phones in 2008. This allowed the phone manufacturers to save on costs by using the Android operating system that was available for free and the fact that Google had acquired Android in 2005 meant that the operating system had a tech giant backing it, meaning it likely wouldn’t be abandoned immediately.
This thesis examines the evolution of Android malware from its first introduction in the form of a FakePlayer in 2010 to the current more sophisticated forms in recent years. The analysis was conducted as a literature search utilizing publications and other sources related to the the-sis topic. The thesis explores the early stages of premium service SMS theft, the rise of re-packaged applications and exploitation of app permissions and the increasing prevalence of financially motivated malware such as ransomware and cryptojacking.
Furthermore, this thesis analyzes the security measures implemented by Google to counteract the ever-evolving malware landscape. The security features on Android have come a long way since the inception of Android. From basic pin codes and patterns to biometrics and encryption against physical access. The permission system for applications has been completely overhauled multiple times between different versions of Android, increasing the users control over them. Current Android devices are more secure than ever, but the malware keeps evolving alongside the security.
This thesis examines the evolution of Android malware from its first introduction in the form of a FakePlayer in 2010 to the current more sophisticated forms in recent years. The analysis was conducted as a literature search utilizing publications and other sources related to the the-sis topic. The thesis explores the early stages of premium service SMS theft, the rise of re-packaged applications and exploitation of app permissions and the increasing prevalence of financially motivated malware such as ransomware and cryptojacking.
Furthermore, this thesis analyzes the security measures implemented by Google to counteract the ever-evolving malware landscape. The security features on Android have come a long way since the inception of Android. From basic pin codes and patterns to biometrics and encryption against physical access. The permission system for applications has been completely overhauled multiple times between different versions of Android, increasing the users control over them. Current Android devices are more secure than ever, but the malware keeps evolving alongside the security.
Kokoelmat
- Kandidaatintutkielmat [8709]