Android users’ security and privacy at risk from shadowy ecosystem of pre-installed software, study warns

A large-scale independent study of pre-installed Android apps has cast a critical spotlight on the privacy and security risks that preloaded software poses to users of the Google developed mobile platform. The researchers behind the paper, which has been published in preliminary form ahead of a future presentation at the IEEE Symposium on Security and […]

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Most Antivirus apps on Google Play suck at detecting malware

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Don’t assume every antivirus app on Android will keep you safe. Ironically, many of them are dodgy and can fail to detect common strains of malware, according to new research.

The antivirus testing group AV-Comparatives recently tested 250 antimalware security apps available on the Google Play Store — and unfortunately most underperformed.

According to the tests, 138 of the apps detected less than 30 percent of the malware samples or had a tendency to falsely flag clean files as bad. Some of these apps also appear to be fake, and may even possess some malicious functions.

A seperate group of 32 apps were later pulled from the Google Play Store during the testing process. It isn’t clear why, but AV-Comparatives said the apps were likely developed by amateurs or non-security vendors that were more focused on making money through ads. Read more…

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New Android adware found in 200 apps on Google Play

Security researchers have found a new kind of mobile adware hidden in hundreds of Android apps, and downloaded more than 150 million times from Google Play. The malware masquerading as an ad-serving platform, dubbed SimBad by researchers at security firm Check Point, infected more than 200 apps which, likely unbeknownst to the app developer, would […]

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Google gives Android developers new tools to make money from users who won’t pay

Google today is introducing a new way for Android developers to generate revenue from their mobile applications. And no, it’s not subscription-related. Instead, the company is launching a new monetization option for apps called “Rewarded Products.” This will allow non-paying app users to contribute to an app’s revenue stream by sacrificing their time, but not […]

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Google introduces educational app Bolo to improve children’s literacy in India

Google is expanding its suite of apps designed for the Indian market with today’s launch of a new language-learning app aimed at children, called Bolo. The app, which is aimed at elementary school-aged students, leverages technology like Google’s speech recognition and text-to-speech to help kids learn to read in both Hindi and English. To do […]

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Apple tells app developers to disclose or remove screen recording code

Apple is telling app developers to remove or properly disclose their use of analytics code that allows them to record how a user interacts with their iPhone apps — or face removal from the app store, TechCrunch can confirm. In an email, an Apple spokesperson said: “Protecting user privacy is paramount in the Apple ecosystem. Our […]

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Google bans slew of malicious Android apps that stole user photos and advertised scams

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Google has removed dozens of popular fake photo apps meant to hurt its users.

Security firm Trend Micro discovered 29 malicious apps that were listed on the official Google Play store, all advertised as “beauty camera” applications. The apps have since been removed by Google.

The photo apps carried out a number of nefarious activities on Android devices which they were installed to. Some of the apps would load up a full-screen advertisement for fraudulent or pornographic content every time a user unlocked the device. Other apps in the batch would forward users to phishing websites that tried to steal their personal information. Sometimes attempts to steal users email or phone number were hidden under the guise of claiming a prize. Read more…

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View More Google bans slew of malicious Android apps that stole user photos and advertised scams

Google starts pulling unvetted Android apps that access call logs and SMS messages

Google is removing apps from Google Play that request permission to access call logs and SMS text message data but haven’t been manually vetted by Google staff. The search and mobile giant said it is part of a move to cut down on apps that have access to sensitive calling and texting data. Google said in […]

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Millions of Android users tricked into downloading 85 adware apps from Google Play

Another day, another batch of bad apps in Google Play. Researchers at security firm Trend Micro have discovered dozens of apps, including popular utilities and games, to serve a ton of deceptively displayed ads — including full-screen ads, hidden ads and ads running in the background to squeeze as much money out of unsuspecting Android […]

View More Millions of Android users tricked into downloading 85 adware apps from Google Play

Consumer advocacy groups call on FTC to investigate kids’ apps on Google Play

A coalition of 22 consumer and public health advocacy groups, led by Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), have today filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission asking them to investigate and sanction Google for how its Google Play Store markets apps to children. The complaint states that […]

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Android users can now donate to charities through the Google Play Store

The Google Play Store is receiving an update today that will allow customers to make charitable donations to nonprofits from their Android device. While it may seem odd to to be rallying for support for charities within the same marketplace where users download apps and games, it’s not uncommon. Apple for years has collected donations […]

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Google has acquired one of India’s most popular train tracking apps

Google is increasing its efforts in India after it snapped up the team behind popular transportation app ‘Where is my Train.’ The app claims 10 million registered users and, as the name suggests, it helps commuters track arrivals and departures as well as buying seats. That’s no small job given that India is estimated to operate […]

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