Microsoft Uses Android Malware Hysteria to Offer Free Windows Phones - garnertropers

Microsoft is capitalizing happening a Holocene epoch Humanoid malware scam by giving away free Windows Phones to five Mechanical man users with the worst malware horror stories. Ben Rudolph, Microsoft's Windows Phone evangelist, announced the contest connected Chitter using the hashtag #droidrage. Microsoft followed Rudolph's lead and publicized the contest on its official Twitter feed.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has used free phones to win people all over to its flying platform. In August, the software big offered free Windows Phones to webOS developers later Hewlett-Packard announced it was discontinuing its webOS device lineup. H.P. lately declared it would make webOS an open source project and may release a new webOS pad in 2022.

RuFraud

Google recently far 22 malicious apps purporting to make up legitimate versions of popular programs such as Cut The Rope and Angry Birds. The apps were packaged with malware that would send imposter text messages to premium-grade SMS numbers, costing the user around $5 per SMS.

The so-titled RuFraud scam targeted European users and did non affect Android phones in North America. Lookout Security, the firm that first brought the scam to Google's attention, says information technology has since discovered another five RuFraud apps in the Android Market, bringing the total app count to 27.

Droid Furor in 140 characters or to a lesser extent

Microsoft's droidrage campaign is eliciting a turn of tweets from disaffected Android users. "Had 100.00 worth of charges connected my speech sound bill, named to see what the deal was, an app.has been sending charge to acct texts," said Twitter user Zac Leingang.

"Gave my ma a Droid phone as her first smartphone. Malware is constantly making her phone crash, fashioning her wish she never got unrivaled," said Sergio Rivera. Other users are telling similar stories in hopes of getting a free phone.

Android malware

Microsoft may be capitalizing on Mechanical man's misfortunes at a especially low point for Google's mobile Osmium, as concerns about malware happening Humanoid are on the rise. Lookout Rangy Security of late said that an Android exploiter in the United States has a 40 percent chance of clicking on a malicious link from their handsets. The global likelihood is 36 per centum, according to Lookout.

Security firm McAfee in November said that Humanoid malware increased away 37 percent in the fractional quarter of 2011 compared to the precedent three-calendar month period. Also in November, a particularly sensationalistic report from Raetam Networks said Humanoid Malware had increased 472 per centum since July.

Chris DiBona, Google's open source programs manager, recently shot back at the security system industry, blaming Android malware fury along charlatans trying to sell security software.

While Google dukes it out with the certificate industry finished Android malware, Microsoft appears to be reveling in its rival's misfortunes. But non everyone is impressed with Microsoft's offer.

Twitter user Nick Rosier called Microsoft's offer of free Windows Phone for Android malware victims "harsh." Rosier added, "Haven't they suffered enough?"

Connect with Ian Paul (@ianpaul ) and Today@PCWorld on Twitter for the latest tech news and analysis.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/472839/microsoft_uses_android_malware_hysteria_to_offer_free_windows_phones.html

Posted by: garnertropers.blogspot.com

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