Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- Security threats from mobile malware are on the rise and nearly 95 % of targets operate on the Android operating system , according to a new report from NQ Mobile . The mobile security firm , with headquarters in both the U.S. and China , estimates that nearly 33 million Android devices were targeted by malware in 2012 -- a jump of more than 200 % from the year prior . `` Android is one of the most powerful operating systems in the world . It allows developers to develop some of the most innovative applications out there , '' said Omar Khan , Co-CEO of NQ Mobile , to CNN 's Nina dos Santos . `` But because it 's so open it also gives the opportunity for bad actors in the system to take advantage of that openness to develop malicious applications as well . '' According to the NQ report , one type of malware is delivered through app repackaging in which a user downloads a mobile application that looks legitimate but is actually a harmful program . Malware can also be downloaded through fake websites when a user clicks on a URL that appears authentic but is not . Mobile users can also be duped through so-called `` smishing '' -- a combination of the words SMS and phishing -- where a user receives a text message asking for personal information like a credit card number , e-mail address or social security number . And while personal information is one casualty from malicious software , personal harm could occur with new programs being developed . Earlier this month , a German hacker -- and licensed commercial pilot -- raised eyebrows with claims he developed an app that could remotely hijack an airplane using an Android phone . With the increase in mobile malware , consumers need to be smarter in how they protect themselves and where they click . Nearly 25 % of malware on mobile devices comes from pornography websites , according to a recent study from Blue Coat , a Web security and optimization company . Also , more than three of every 10 smartphone users have no password on their device according to a global survey by Web security firm McAfee . NQ 's Khan puts the number even higher -- at one out of every two . `` The simplest thing we can do is put passwords on our phones . Installing security and encryption solutions ( are another ) way to do it . Also educating our consumers and our enterprise users not to connect and leave open wi-fi connections or Bluetooth connections -- only to connect to trusted sources . A lot of times we 'll connect to anything . '' The NQ report also revealed that China , India and Russia were the top three countries with infected mobile devices . `` In the emerging markets it 's our only lifeline to the internet so hackers are finding that information more and more valuable which is why they 're going after these devices , '' said Khan .
Security threats by malicious software targeting mobile devices on rise , says NQ Mobile . Nearly 95 % of all global malware targets phones operating on Android OS . Almost 33 million Android devices were affected by malware in 2015 . Mobile devices in developing are often used for personal data mining .