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

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.