Google’s Android firmware may be continually improving in a number of key areas, but one category of constant concern is that of Android malware and general security threats, which seem to be rising just as readily as the platform is. Worryingly, security outfit Trend Micro notes of how the number of malicious apps in existence across the Web has increased to 700,000, with almost 200,000 having manifested in the last quarter alone. With up to 99 percent of devices potentially at risk, the threat is very real, and although users are at least becoming more cautious and aware, it would seem the malware makers are more determined than ever.

While Android continues to go from strength to strength in offering consumers a better all-round user experience, there are still some noteworthy trade-offs when comparing with the likes of iOS. Malware remains a significant issue on Google’s mobile operating system, and with this week being the week of the Black Hat Security conference, new threats and possible solutions pertaining to Android security have been coming to light. One, outlined by Director of Kindsight Security Labs Kevin McNamee, involves the installation of a malicious app by the name of SpyPhone, which, once it infiltrates your device, can essentially keep tabs on all of your activity.

Google’s Android may be in the news for all the right reasons at the moment, but just a few days ago, security vendor Bluebox Security announced that it had discovered a way that malicious code could be injected into otherwise entirely legitimate Android applications. Now, it would appear, this issue is more than just a theory after security firm Symantec announced in a blog post that it had discovered two apps that had fallen foul of the exploit, named Master Key exploit.

Owners of smartphones powered by Google’s Android have not had a great time of it of late, especially if they’re the kind of users that worry about security. First, news came that a potentially major Android security flaw had been unearthed, leaving the vast majority of Android devices vulnerable. Good news followed in that Google was aware of the issue and had even managed to get a patch out to carriers and OEMs. Great stuff.

It’s been a time for Android users and OEMs alike of late, specifically with the news that Google’s mobile operating system has had a major security flaw ever since the Android 1.6 days. Considering that’s quite some time now, it has left many feeling somewhat uneasy about the state of security on the platform, and rightly so.

Android may have advanced in the past couple of years to offer a level of user experience comparable to the slickness of iOS, but thanks in part to its open source nature, the levels of malicious software and security holes have been a cause for great concern. Now, researchers have found yet another security vulnerability allowing an unscrupulous individual to potentially take full control of your control of your Android smartphone.