ABSTRACT

The open-source nature of the Android Operating System has attracted wider adoption
of the system by multiple types of developers. This phenomenon has further fostered an
exponential proliferation of devices running the Android OS in different sectors of the
economy. Although this development has brought about great technological
advancements and ease of doing business (ecommerce) and social interactions, they
have however become strong mediums for the uncontrolled rising cyber attacks and
espionage against business infrastructures and the individual users of these mobile
devices. Different cyber attack techniques exist but attacks through malicious
applications have taken the lead aside from other attack methods like social
engineering. Android malware has evolved in sophistication and intelligence that they
have become highly resistant to existing detection systems especially those that are
signature-based. Machine learning techniques have risen to become a more competent
choice for combating the kind of sophistication and novelty deployed by emerging
Android malware. The models created via machine learning methods work by first
learning the existing patterns of malware behavior and then using this knowledge to
separate or identify any such similar behavior from unknown attacks. This project
provided a comprehensive machine learning techniques Genetic Algorithm and their
applications in Android malware detection as found in contemporary literature.
 INTRODUCTION

The first Android smart phone was launched in September 2008, and shortly there
after smart phones powered by the new open-source operating system were
everywhere. In 2021, almost 12 new enhanced versions of Android were released, and it
is the most widely used mobile operating system in the world, with an 84% share of the
global smart phone market [1]. With this level of adoption coupled with the open-
source nature of Android applications, security attacks are becoming more and more
ubiquitous and seriously threaten the integrity of Android applications.

• Trojans: These appear as benign apps and aim to steal the user's confidential
information without the user's knowledge.

• Backdoors: These exploit root grant privileges and aim to gain control over the device
and perform any operation without the user's knowledge.

• Worms: This malware creates copies of it self and distributes them over the mobile
device's networks. • Spyware: These appear as benign apps designed to monitor the
user's confidential information, such as messages, contacts, location, bank information,
etc., for undesirable consequences.

• Botnets: A botnet is a network of compromised Android devices controlled by a

remote server.

• Ransom ware: This malware prevents users from accessing their data by locking the
mobile phone until a ransom amount is paid.

• Risk wares: These are legitimate that malicious authors exploit to reduce the device's
performance or harm their data.
 SYSTEM ANALYSIS
Existing System

There are various approaches to detecting Android malware using machine learning.
One common method involves using features extracted from apps (such as permissions
requested, API calls made, etc.) and training machine learning models (like decision
trees, support vector machines, or neural networks) to classify apps as either malicious
or benign based on these features. Another approach is using behavioral analysis, where
the behavior of an app is monitored at runtime to detect any suspicious activities. Both
approaches have their advantages and challenges, and researchers are continually
exploring new techniques to improve Android malware detection.

Proposed System

The proposal outlines a framework for an Android malware detection system using
machine learning, addressing the inadequacy of traditional methods against evolving
threats. It aims to collect diverse data, extract relevant features, develop effective
models, and integrate them into a detection system. The methodology involves data
collection, feature extraction, model development, evaluation, and deployment. The
expected outcome is a proactive defense mechanism providing real-time detection and
enhancing user security. The proposal emphasizes the importance of advanced
algorithms and comprehensive feature engineering. Further research and development
efforts are crucial for refining the system's performance in real-world scenarios.
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION DOCUMENT

1.Introduction :
This system aims to provide a comprehensive Android malware detection solution
that combines static analysis (examining the APK structure, permissions, and code)
and dynamic analysis (monitoring application behavior during execution). By
harnessing the power of machine learning, the system can adapt to evolving threats,
improve detection accuracy, and reduce false positives, ultimately enhancing the
security of Android devices and protecting users from potential threats.

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to define the software requirements for an Android
Malware Detection system that utilizes machine learning algorithms to identify and
classify malware in Android applications.

1.2 Scope

This system will analyze Android APK files and monitor applications during runtime to
detect malicious behavior, providing real-time alerts and reports to users.

1.3 Audience

This document is intended for:

 Software developers
 Project managers
 Security analysts
 Stakeholders involved in the development and deployment of the malware
detection system

2. Overall Description
2.1 Product Perspective

The malware detection system will function as an application on Android devices,

integrating with the OS to scan and monitor installed applications using both static and
dynamic analysis techniques.
2.2 Product Functions

 Static Analysis: Analyze APK files for permissions, code structure, and other
characteristics.
 Dynamic Analysis: Monitor app behavior during execution for suspicious activities.
 Feature Extraction: Identify and extract relevant features from apps for analysis.
 Malware Classification: Use machine learning models to classify apps as benign or
malicious.
 User Notifications: Provide real-time alerts and reports to users about potential threats.

2.3 User Classes and Characteristics

 End Users: General users who want to ensure their apps are safe.
 System Administrators: Users managing devices in enterprise settings.
 Security Analysts: Professionals monitoring app security and analyzing reports.

2.4 Operating Environment

 Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later.

 Compatibility with various device manufacturers and configurations.

2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints

 Compliance with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR).

 Minimal impact on device performance and battery consumption.
 Secure handling of user data.

3. Functional Requirements
3.1 Data Collection

 The system shall collect data from APK files during installation and execution.
 The system shall capture both static features (permissions, manifest data) and
dynamic features (runtime behavior).

3.2 Feature Extraction

 The system shall extract relevant features for analysis from collected data.
 The system shall preprocess the data (normalization, encoding) for machine
learning model training.
3.3 Malware Detection

 The system shall utilize machine learning algorithms (e.g., Random Forest,
Support Vector Machines, Neural Networks) to classify applications.
 The system shall provide real-time detection of malicious behavior during app
execution.

3.4 User Interface

 The system shall provide a user-friendly interface to display scan results and
alerts.
 The system shall allow users to view detailed reports on detected malware.

3.5 Alerts and Reporting

 The system shall notify users immediately upon detection of malware.

 The system shall generate periodic reports summarizing app safety status.

4. Non-Functional Requirements
4.1 Performance

 The system shall complete static analysis within 5 seconds for each APK.
 The system shall have a detection latency of less than 1 second during runtime
monitoring.

4.2 Reliability

 The system shall achieve a detection accuracy of at least 95%.

 The system shall maintain an uptime of 99.5%.

4.3 Usability

 The user interface shall be intuitive and easy to navigate.

 The system shall provide clear instructions for users on responding to alerts.

4.4 Security

 The system shall encrypt user data during transmission.

 The system shall not collect personally identifiable information (PII) without explicit
consent.
5. External Interface Requirements
5.1 User Interfaces

 The system shall feature a dashboard for viewing app safety statuses.
 The system shall display alert pop-ups for immediate threat notifications.

5.2 Hardware Interfaces

 The system shall be compatible with Android devices with minimal hardware
requirements.

5.3 Software Interfaces

 The system shall integrate with Android APIs for monitoring app behavior.
 The system shall support various Android versions and device manufacturers.

6. Future Enhancements
 Integration with cloud-based threat intelligence services.
 Continuous learning capabilities to adapt to new malware variants.
 User education features to inform users about malware risks and safe practices.

7. Future Enhancements
 Integration with cloud-based threat intelligence services.
 Continuous learning capabilities to adapt to new malware variants.
 User education features to inform users about malware risks and safe practices.

8. Approval
This document will be reviewed and approved by relevant stakeholders to ensure all
requirements are accurately captured.
 SYSTEM DESIGN

System Design The purpose of the design phase is to plan a solution to the problem
specified by the requirement document. This phase is the first step in moving from the
problem domain to the solution domain. The design of a system is perhaps the most
critical factor affecting the quality of the software, and has a major impact on the later
phases, particularly testing and maintenance.

The output of this phase is the design document. This document is like a blueprint or
plan for the solution, and is used later during implementation, testing and maintenance.
The design activity is often divided into two separate phase-system design and detailed
designs. System design, which is sometimes also called top-level design, aims to identify
the modules that should be in the system, the specifications of these modules, and how
they interact with each other to produce the desired results. At the end of the system
design all the major data structures & file formats , output formats, as well as the major
modules in the system and their specifications are decided.

A design methodology is a systematic approach to creating a design by application of a

set of techniques and guidelines. Most methodologies focus on system design. The two
basic principles used in any design methodology are problem partitioning and
abstraction. A large system cannot be handled as a whole, and so for design it is
partitioned into smaller systems. Abstraction is a concept related to problem
partitioning. When partitioning is used during design, the design activity focuses on one
part of the system at a time. Since the part being designed interacts with other parts of
the system, a clear understanding of the interaction is essential for properly designing the part.
For this, abstraction is used.
 IMPLEMENTATION
7.1 Technologies

Machine Learning :

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI). The goal of machine learning
generally is to understand the structure of data and fit that data into models that can be
understood and utilized by people. Although machine learning is a field within computer
science, it differs from traditional computational approaches. In traditional computing,
algorithms are sets of explicitly programmed instructions used by computers to
calculate or problem solve. Machine learning algorithms instead allow for computers to
train on data inputs and use statistical analysis in order to output values that fall within
a specific range. Because of this, machine learning facilitates computers in building
models from sample data in order to automate decision-making processes based on
data inputs. Any technology user today has benefitted from machine learning. Facial
recognition technology allows social media platforms to help users tag and share photos
of friends. Optical character recognition (OCR) technology converts images of text into
movable type. Recommendation engines, powered by machine learning, suggest what
movies or television shows to watch next based on user preferences. Self-driving cars
that rely on machine learning to navigate may soon be available to consumers. Machine
learning is a continuously developing field. Because of this, there are some
considerations to keep in mind as you work with machine learning methodologies, or
analyze the impact of machine learning processes. In this tutorial, we’ll look into the
common machine learning methods of supervised and unsupervised learning, and
common algorithmic approaches in machine learning, including the k-nearest neighbor
algorithm, decision tree learning, and deep learning. We’ll explore which programming
languages are most used in machine learning, providing you with some of the positive
and negative attributes of each. Additionally, we’ll discuss biases that are perpetuated
by machine learning algorithms, and consider what can be kept in mind to prevent these
biases when building algorithms.
Machine Learning Methods :

In machine learning, tasks are generally classified into broad categories. These
categories are based on how learning is received or how feedback on the learning is
given to the system developed. Two of the most widely adopted machine learning
methods are supervised learning which trains algorithms based on example input and
output data that is labeled by humans, and unsupervised learning which provides the
algorithm with no labeled data in order to allow it to find structure within its input data.
Let’s explore these methods in more detail.

Supervised Learning

In supervised learning, the computer is provided with example inputs that are labeled
with their desired outputs. The purpose of this method is for the algorithm to be able to
“learn” by comparing its actual output with the “taught” outputs to find errors, and
modify the model accordingly. Supervised learning therefore uses patterns to predict
label values on additional unlabeled data. For example, with supervised learning, an
algorithm may be fed data with images of sharks labeled as fish and images of oceans
labeled as water. By being trained on this data, the supervised learning algorithm should
be able to later identify unlabeled shark images as fish and unlabeled ocean images as
water. A common use case of supervised learning is to use historical data to predict
statistically likely future events. It may use historical stock market information to
anticipate upcoming fluctuations, or be employed to filter out spam emails. In
supervised learning, tagged photos of dogs can be used as input data to classify
untagged photos of dogs.

Unsupervised Learning

In unsupervised learning, data is unlabeled, so the learning algorithm is left to find

commonalities among its input data. As unlabeled data are more abundant than labeled
data, machine learning methods that facilitate unsupervised learning are particularly
valuable. The goal of unsupervised learning may be as straightforward as discovering
hidden patterns within a dataset, but it may also have a goal of feature learning, which
allows the computational machine to automatically discover the representations that
are needed to classify raw data. Unsupervised learning is commonly used for
transactional data. You may have a large dataset of customers and their purchases, but
as a human you will likely not be able to make sense of what similar attributes can be
drawn from customer profiles and their types of purchases. With this data fed into an
unsupervised learning algorithm, it may be determined that women of a certain age
range who buy unscented soaps are likely to be pregnant, and therefore a marketing
campaign related to pregnancy and baby products can be targeted to this audience in
order to increase their number of purchases. Without being told a “correct” answer,
unsupervised learning methods can look at complex data that is more expansive and
seemingly unrelated in order to organize it in potentially meaningful ways. Unsupervised
learning is often used for anomaly detection including for fraudulent credit card
purchases, and recommender systems that recommend what products to buy next. In
unsupervised learning, untagged photos of dogs can be used as input data for the
algorithm to find likenesses and classify dog photos together.

Approaches
As a field, machine learning is closely related to computational statistics, so having a
back-ground knowledge in statistics is useful for understanding and leveraging machine
learning algorithms. For those who may not have studied statistics, it can be helpful to
first define correlation and regression, as they are commonly used techniques for
investigating the relationship among quantitative variables. Correlation is a measure of
association between two variables that are not designated as either dependent or
independent. Regression at a basic level is used to examine the relationship between
one dependent and one independent variable. Because regression statistics can be used
to anticipate the dependent variable when the independent variable is known,
regression enables prediction capabilities. Approaches to machine learning are
continuously being developed. For our purposes, we’ll go through a few of the popular
approaches that are being used in machine learning at the time of writing. Genetic
Algorithm Genetic Algorithms(GAs) are adaptive heuristic search algorithms that belong
to the larger part of evolutionary algorithms. Genetic algorithms are based on the ideas
of natural selection and genetics. These are intelligent exploitation of random search
provided with historical data to direct the search into the region of better performance
in solution space. They are commonly used to generate high-quality solutions for
optimization problems and search problems Genetic algorithms simulate the process of
natural selection which means those species who can adapt to changes in their
environment are able to survive and reproduce and go to next generation. In simple
words, they simulate “survival of the fittest” among individual of consecutive generation
for solving a problem. Each generation consist of a population of individuals and each
individual represents a point in search space and possible solution. Each individual is
represented as a string of character/integer/float/bits. This string is analogous to the
Chromosome. Individual in population compete for resources and mate Those
individuals who are successful (fittest) then mate to create more offspring than others
Genes from “fittest” parent propagate throughout the generation, that is sometimes
parents create offspring which is better than either parent.