Work

A comprehensive review of Android malware: trends, behaviors, taxonomies, and future direction

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing prevalence of malicious applications targeting the Android operating system has intensified security challenges in recent years. As Android’s popularity continues to grow, it not only attracts users but also becomes a prime target for cybercriminals, underscoring the critical need for robust defenses against advanced Android malware. This survey manuscript is intended for a multidisciplinary field to evaluate and analyse the Android malware trend, behaviors, taxonomies, and future direction. This survey presents a comprehensive review of study trends, examines Android malware behaviors over time, and analyzes their patterns across platforms, families, and regions. Additionally, it evaluates existing Android malware taxonomies and identifies key gaps. To address these gaps, we propose an enhanced taxonomy tailored to advanced Android malware. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for future research, aimed at assisting users and industry professionals in mitigating the evolving risks posed by sophisticated Android malware attacks.

Source: PeerJ Computer Science

DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.3312

Authors: Collins Uchenna Chimeleze, Mohammed A. Al-Sharafi, Norziana Jamil

Institutions: Universiti Tenaga Nasional, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, United Arab Emirates University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Malware Detection Techniques

Subfield: Signal Processing

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,395

Funder: United Arab Emirates University