We tend to think of malware as a threat to PCs rather than mobile phones and tablets, but the fact is that without taking the necessary precautions, these devices are also susceptible to viruses, malicious websites and phishing, the method by which a criminal will try to extract personal electronic information under false pretenses. A new report from NQ mobile released April 15 said were there 65,000 distinct malware threats in 2012, a 163 percent increase year over year. In total, the report says 38.2 million Android devices were affected by malware last year, the most of any mobile operating system.

The report cites the ubiquity of Android as the main reason for it being so frequently targeted. According to IDC, a mobile technology research group, Android currently has a worldwide market share of 75 percent, which makes it a more attractive target for anyone developing malicious software.

One silver lining for American Android users is that though they make up a significant share of the overall Android customer base, only 9.8 percent of those reporting malware on their phones came from the U.S. China (25.5 percent) and India (19.4 percent) led all countries in the number of infected mobile devices. 

The report states that 39 percent of Android users in the U.S. have not downloaded the necessary security updates from more recent versions of Android, named Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, which could leave them vulnerable to newer versions of malware. The report also raises the issue that more and more people are able to download apps from third-party sites besides Google Play that may not adhere to the same strict standards for admitting new software into their marketplace.

PortableOne can help you find a custom laptop, Android device or Apple Mac that will remain free of these malware threats, and we can install state-of-the-art anti-virus software to ensure that your mobile device or laptop is protected.