back to article Six in Tokyo slammer after Android smut scam

Six men including three IT executives have been arrested in Tokyo in connection with an Android malware scam which netted them over 20 million yen (£160,740). Japan’s first arrests for the crime of distributing a smartphone virus came after over 9,000 people downloaded malware disguised as an application designed to play …

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  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Perfect

    Its the perfect medium for spreading malware, the promise of free porn!

  2. Anonymous Coward
    FAIL

    Slight flaw in this scareware news.

    From the original article.

    "The application was for playing videos and could be downloaded for free through an adult site on the Internet"

    So it wasn't downloaded from Google Play then? And the user had enabled "allow non-marketplace installed" and read the warning telling him/her that it potentially opened them up to all sorts of nasties.

    How is this Google's problem exactly?

    1. wowfood

      Re: Slight flaw in this scareware news.

      The same way its Microsofts problem when you get a virus on your PC, despite the fact you didn't bother installing an anti-virus or firewall.

      Or the same way its the governments or the banks fault when you forget to pay taxes.

      If there's a higher power somebody can blame for their own stupidity they will.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Slight flaw in this scareware news.

        It's a sad day when people trust their technology more than there own consciousness.

        "the smartphone said it would be OK" is not an acceptable defence,

        1. Anonymous Coward
          FAIL

          Re: Slight flaw in this scareware news.

          The Smartphone absolutely didn't say it was going to be OK.

          The warning message clearly spells it out.

          "Your phone and personal data are more vulnerable to attack by applications from unknown sources. You agree that you are solely responsible for any damage to your phone or loss of data that may result from using these applications."

          Doesn't get much simpler than that does it?

          1. ukgnome

            Re: Slight flaw in this scareware news.

            However I bet the website said it would be OK - I agree that people are slaves to their technology.

            I happen to know that the website would of done, as a while pack the airpush notifications had been injected with links to malicious apps and when you visited the sites they mentioned that as this is a 3rd party app you will need to allow it, but don't worry - companyx would never do anything to harm your device.

            That's why I run Lookout

          2. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Slight flaw in this scareware news.

            Or, as most people read the warning:

            <sfx type="muted_trumpet">

            <!-- start Peanuts adult voice -->

            mwah-mwa-mwamwa-mwahhhh

            </sfx>

            "WHERE DOES I CLICKS TO SEE BOOBIES?!?!"

  3. kain preacher

    You know I could send out an email that said free money in the header. In the body of the text I could put warning opening this attachment this will fry you computer. Some people still would open it up.

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    £160k eh? That's the most anyone's made from an Android app :-)

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