Posted on 03/04/2011 6:09:30 AM PST by est1995
Edited on 03/04/2011 7:05:16 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Tens of thousands of users of Android-based smartphones have downloaded applications capable of taking over their phones with malicious software designed to steal data or send expensive messages, security experts have warned.
The apps mimicked legitimate programs and carried such names as Chess, Bowling Time and Super Guitar Solo, but allowed the developers to exploit a security flaw in most versions of Android.
(Excerpt) Read more at ft.com ...
People ask me, an engineer, why I don’t have a smartphone.
This article will help to buttress my reason.
“researchers. EDITOR’S CHOICE Inside Technology: Clash of the Tech Titans - Mar-02 Analysis: Telecoms: Downwardly mobile - Feb-24 Chris Nuttall: Sweet taste of Honeycomb - Feb-24 HTC unveils six new Android devices - Feb-15 Operators hoping Nokia will avoid Android - Feb-07 Google’s Android overtakes Nokia’s Symbian - Jan-31
The apps “
Android 2.3 and higher builds are immune, and the XDA forums have a patch for lower builds if you can handle side loading.
Bwahaha! Sorry, couldn't keep a straight face...
These articles do nothing but cause hysteria where there is none.
There are over 100,000 Android apps by who knows how many developers.
3 developers were distributing malicious applications using a “root” exploit to do their dirty deeds (of which no one knows yet).
If you look at the names of the apps, half of them are in Chinese. The other half no one in their right mind would download anyway unless they are in the dungeon of the Android Marketplace.
Nonetheless, it will bring out the “THIS is why I don’t have a smartphone!” curmudgeons and the “iPhone has no viruses because we get what Steve tells us we can get” fanboys.
But I am kind of curious why you chose Announcements and Breaking News.
I know a Mgr. at a major bank and she told me the majority of fraud cases she has to deal with have to do with people using their mobile phones to do their banking with. She said there does not seem to be the protection on a mobile phone.
I’m a Linux guy, so I have no taste for smart phones in general, esp. Windows phone.
You do know Android is based on the Linux kernel, right?
Is this really breaking news????
....zzzzzzzziinnnnnngggg!!!!
I was responding to the Windows phone comment, and yes, I know that both Android and the iPhone OS are based on Linux kernels.
My distaste is more about having loads of private data on an always-on network connected machine. I run regular backups of data on my private home network and use HP Ultrium tape for backup of that data, but none of my internal machines are connected to the Internet. The only time anything on my home network is exposed to the outside world is when I’m sitting at my gaming desktop, and I have plenty of threat assessment software running to warn me if anything is awry.
Call me old fashioned, but my idea of a smart phone is a leather-bound notepad and a fountain pen.
I’ve worked a lot with banks from an IT security perspective. There is an incredible amount of fraud associated with their business. No way in heck is the majority of it related to mobile phones.
Business managers at banks are about the last people I’d take technical advice from.
I don’t have a smartphone either. And if anybody wanted to tap into my phone activity they’d be bored into a mild coma in short order. (If it starts getting interesting, I always say, hang up and come on over.)
This is a bad time for android and iPhone. iPhone gives up your passwords within 6 minutes even when the phone is locked!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2677442/posts
I’m much the same. I stand by the “Sopranos” mentality for conversation. If you don’t want anyone else to hear or read your conversation, ask the other party to come over for a face-to-face. I’ve got a box full of cigars, some unopened bottles of good scotch, and plenty of seating on my patio.
Doesn’t pass the smell test.
Most banks don’t have smartphone apps, so in order to do banking, you either use their website on your mobile browser, which is no less secure than a desktop PC, or you use text messaging, of which nowhere does a feature exist to withdraw money via text message that I know of.
With many banks requiring two-factor authentication and SSL (so no eavesdropping on wifi networks), I find it hard to believe that any fraud happens on the consumer end. Hacked websites with credit card lists seems like a far bigger threat to me.
Heck! I wouldn’t even have my dirt-basic cell phone if I weren’t on 24 emergency call.
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