Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Promo Targets Android Users Affected By Recent Malware
Microsoft has attempted to take a shot at Google by marketing a new promotion which offers free Windows Phone 7 devices to consumers which have been affected by malware found in Android applications. The promotion follows on the heels of recent reports that Google was forced to remove 22 apps from the Android Market due to the discovery of malicious code. Using the hashtag #DroidRage, here is what Microsoft’s Ben Rudolph tweeted about the new promo,
“Share your Android malware story (there’s lots going around) and you could win a #windowsphone upgrade. #DroidRage”
Lookout, a mobile security firm, was responsible for unearthing several Android apps that contained malicious code called RuFraud. The code targets consumers in Asia, Europe, and elsewhere outside of the United States. Basically, RuFraud sends SMS messages to premium numbers and then places fraudulent charges onto the user’s cell phone bill. North American users were not affected as the fraudulent SMS code is gated on the user’s country (as indicated by their SIM).
Google has reviewed the recent reports and all apps containing RuFraud were immediately removed from the Android Market.
