Empirical analysis of Android logs using self-organizing maps

In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of the logs generated by the logging system available in Android environments. The logs are mainly related to the execution of the different components of applications and services running on an Android device. We have analysed the logs using self organizing maps where our goal is to establish behavioural fingerprints of Android applications. Each fingerprint is build using information available in logs and related to the structure of an application and its interaction with the system. The developed methodology allows us the better understand Android Apps regarding their granted permissions and performed actions and it proves to be promising for the analysis of malware applications with a minimal overhead and cost.