Google is tightening its privacy practices that could make it harder for apps on Android phones and tablets to track users who have opted out of receiving personalized interest-based ads. The change will go into effect sometime in late 2021. The development, which mirrors Apple's move to enable iPhone and iPad users to opt-out of ad tracking, was first reported by the Financial … [Read more...] about Google to Let Android Users Opt-Out to Stop Ads From Tracking Them
Android
23 Android Apps Expose Over 100,000,000 Users’ Personal Data
Misconfigurations in multiple Android apps leaked sensitive data of more than 100 million users, potentially making them a lucrative target for malicious actors. "By not following best-practices when configuring and integrating third-party cloud-services into applications, millions of users' private data was exposed," Check Point researchers said in an analysis published today … [Read more...] about 23 Android Apps Expose Over 100,000,000 Users’ Personal Data
6 Unpatched Flaws Disclosed in Remote Mouse App for Android and iOS
As many as six zero-days have been uncovered in an application called Remote Mouse, allowing a remote attacker to achieve full code execution without any user interaction. The unpatched flaws, collectively named 'Mouse Trap,' were disclosed on Wednesday by security researcher Axel Persinger, who said, "It's clear that this application is very vulnerable and puts users at risk … [Read more...] about 6 Unpatched Flaws Disclosed in Remote Mouse App for Android and iOS
Watch Out! That Android System Update May Contain A Powerful Spyware
Researchers have discovered a new information-stealing trojan, which targets Android devices with an onslaught of data-exfiltration capabilities — from collecting browser searches to recording audio and phone calls. While malware on Android has previously taken the guise of copycat apps, which go under names similar to legitimate pieces of software, this sophisticated new … [Read more...] about Watch Out! That Android System Update May Contain A Powerful Spyware
9 Android Apps On Google Play Caught Distributing AlienBot Banker and MRAT Malware
Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new malware dropper contained in as many as 9 Android apps distributed via Google Play Store that deploys a second stage malware capable of gaining intrusive access to the financial accounts of victims as well as full control of their devices. "This dropper, dubbed Clast82, utilizes a series of techniques to avoid detection by Google … [Read more...] about 9 Android Apps On Google Play Caught Distributing AlienBot Banker and MRAT Malware
Beware — A New Wormable Android Malware Spreading Through WhatsApp
A newly discovered Android malware has been found to propagate itself through WhatsApp messages to other contacts in order to expand what appears to be an adware campaign. "This malware spreads via victim's WhatsApp by automatically replying to any received WhatsApp message notification with a link to [a] malicious Huawei Mobile app," ESET researcher Lukas Stefanko said. The … [Read more...] about Beware — A New Wormable Android Malware Spreading Through WhatsApp
Experts Sound Alarm On New Android Malware Sold On Hacking Forums
Cybersecurity researchers have exposed the operations of an Android malware vendor who teamed up with a second threat actor to market and sell a remote access Trojan (RAT) capable of device takeover and exfiltration of photos, locations, contacts, and messages from popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, Kik, Line, and Google Messages. The vendor, … [Read more...] about Experts Sound Alarm On New Android Malware Sold On Hacking Forums
China’s Baidu Android Apps Caught Collecting Sensitive User Data
Two popular Android apps from Chinese tech giant Baidu were temporarily unavailable on the Google Play Store in October after they were caught collecting sensitive user details. The two apps in question—Baidu Maps and Baidu Search Box—were found to collect device identifiers, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number or MAC address, without users' … [Read more...] about China’s Baidu Android Apps Caught Collecting Sensitive User Data
Watch Out! New Android Banking Trojan Steals From 112 Financial Apps
Four months after security researchers uncovered a "Tetrade" of four Brazilian banking Trojans targeting financial institutions in Brazil, Latin America, and Europe, new findings show that the criminals behind the operation have expanded their tactics to infect mobile devices with spyware. According to Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), the Brazil-based … [Read more...] about Watch Out! New Android Banking Trojan Steals From 112 Financial Apps
Google Removes 21 Malicious Android Apps from Play Store
Google has stepped in to remove several Android applications from the official Play Store following the disclosure that the apps in question were found to serve intrusive ads. The findings were reported by the Czech cybersecurity firm Avast on Monday, which said the 21 malicious apps (list here) were downloaded nearly eight million times from Google's app marketplace. The apps … [Read more...] about Google Removes 21 Malicious Android Apps from Play Store