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Pay up or your data gets it, Fandroid

Ransomware became the main danger to users of the Android operating system in the first half of 2016.

Bitdefender’s Android malware statistics show the Android SLocker ransomware family accounts for almost half of all mobile malware reported by infected devices in H1 2016 in Denmark, and a quarter in Germany. Australia (21.5 per cent) and the UK (16.5 per cent). In the United States, ransomware accounted for 16 per cent.

Android ransomware typically attempts to lock devices rather than encrypt files (a la Windows ransomware) before demanding payment in return for unlock codes. Despite its less sophistication Android malware has become increasingly difficult to remove from one iteration to another, Bitdefender warns. Android ransomware typically requires user interaction in order to sideload the malicious .apk file, a limitation crooks attempt to get around using a variety of tricks in order to fool less tech-savvy victims. The type of malware has more recently been spread through malicious ads (AKA malvertising) and spam emails. ®

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