Google promises tighter Android Market security in wake of Trojan outbreak

When we first reported on applications in the official Android Market being infected with a Trojan backdoor, 21 malicious apps were found. After the dust had settled, the total was closer to 60 -- and Google has now announced what it is doing to undo the damage and prevent future outbreaks in the Market.

For starters, Google is remotely wiping the rogue applications from users' devices and pushing a security update for the Android Market app. Google will also email a notice to affected users to let them know that the update has been applied and that changes made by the Trojan-bearing apps have been undone. A confirmation notice will also be sent once the cleanup has finished.

Google also promised to beef up the Android Market's security systems and stated that work is underway with various partners to address "underlying issues."

The Android Market is now at the point where it's got a vast number of high-quality apps. Perhaps now that its security shortcomings have been exposed, it's time to slow the inrush of new apps and devote more time and resources to making sure no more Android users fall victim to such attacks.

Tags: android, android market, AndroidMarket, apps, google, mobile, security, trojan