According to reports, nearly 80 percent of Android users are still at risk of being infected by Ghost push malware. Apple had targeted Google several times over the slower adoption rate of the latest version Android over iOS. The slow adoption rate is one of the primary reasons as to why a large plethora of users is not safe from the dangerous malware.
Till recently, Ghost Push had infected over 900,000 Android handsets. According to a report released by Chinese antivirus firm Cheetah Mobile, the Ghost push malware continues to effect smartphones and tablets running Android platform. The study reveals that the malware had infected over 100,000 new Android gadgets. Interestingly, 50 percent of the handsets and tablets are from India.
Ghost Push malware infect Android Lollipop handsets
The malware Ghost Push was discovered nearly one year back by Cheetah Mobile. In the recently released report, the company has revealed that handsets running Android Lollipop and older versions are vulnerable to the malware. There are reports that the malware has expanded across various countries.
Ghost Push malware will not infect Android 6.0 Marshmallow gadgets
If you have Android 6.0 Marshmallow, you will not be infected since the malware doesn’t have the capability to push through the latest platform. However, it can infect handsets which are loaded with Kitkat and Lollipop. The Ghost Push malware works by grabbing root access to the affected Android gadget and installs malicious apps without the knowledge of the user.
Only 19 percent make use of Android Marshmallow handsets
Upon inspection of the Android distribution data gathered in September, only 19 percent of Android smartphone users are running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This means nearly 82 percent of users are at a huge risk of getting affected by the malware.
The main reason for the low market share of Android M is attributed to the fact that majority of users are still using stock Android handsets loaded with Android Lollipop. They cannot be upgraded to Android Marshmallow. Meanwhile, users with custom UI from companies such as Xiaomi, LeEco, and others are able to upgrade to Android Marshmallow easily.
If you are using the handset simply for call purposes, you will not be infected with Ghost Push. But if you download popular apps such as MX Player Pro, ES File Manager Pro, Run Keeper, Firefox and Music Player Pro from unknown sources, you are at a great risk of being infected with Ghost Push.
To avoid being infected by Ghost Push, always download reliable apps from Google Play Store and clean the handset using a mobile antivirus cleaner.
