Google Deletes Evil Apps

After identifying several malicious apps on the Android Market that exploited security on the operating system, Google not only remotely deleted the apps but installed software that undid the damage to affected devices.

According to the Google Mobile Blog, the company is making the malware destruction and security update impossibly easy for customers.

From the blog:

If your device has been affected, you will receive an email from android-market-support@google.com over the next 72 hours. You will also receive a notification on your device that “Android Market Security Tool March 2011” has been installed. You may also receive notification(s) on your device that an application has been removed. You are not required to take any action from there; the update will automatically undo the exploit. Within 24 hours of the exploit being undone, you will receive a second email.

Google also says it’s taking measures to make sure more malicious apps don’t show up on the market.

An Update on Android Market Security [Google Mobile Blog via Engadget]

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