Android devices the world over are becoming infected at an ever-increasing rate with a strain of malware known as “NotCompatible”. Although NotCompatible has been around since May 2012 it has only recently started spreading quickly in the wild.
Once a device has been infected with NotCompatible it can be used as a web proxy which allows the miscreants responsible for creating and spreading the malware to do all kinds of illicit things on the web without the dirty deeds being traced back to them.
NotCompatible is usually spread via email spam with the headline “Hot News”. Links within the message body appear to take the user to weight loss sites, but the sites actually install the malware onto your Android device.
Being vigilant about not opening unexpected emails is one very effective way of preventing a malware infection. Another is installing and using a high-quality anti-malware app. I use and recommend the free version of Lookout Mobile Security but the Google Play Store has several security apps to choose from.