Tag Archive for: Hiding

Billions of Android and iPhone owners urged to check signs a criminal is hiding in your device – don’t lose everything

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SECURITY experts have warned smartphone users about major signs that criminals are hoping to hack their device.

Androids and iPhones are pretty safe gadgets but no device is fully hackproof, according to cybersecurity experts at Trend Micro.

Hackers have several techniques when it comes to infiltrating smartphonesCredit: Getty

They wrote in a recent blog post: “Unfortunately, no device can ever be 100% hackproof, and the iPhone is no exception.”

The blog lists three potential ways that a hacker can infiltrate your phone.

They’re all pretty common and you may have some of the red flags on your device right now.

EVIL APPS

The first hacking route the experts pointed out was “malicious apps.”

It’s normal to download apps onto your smartphone, but cybercriminals rely on you not checking what you’re downloading.

You have to be wary of all apps you download onto your device and make sure you’ve double checked the permissions that they want to access.

Try reading the apps reviews and only downloading from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

DANGEROUS WI-FI

The Trend Micro experts also warned against using insecure Wi-Fi networks, especially public Wi-Fi.

Most read in Phones & Gadgets

Cybercriminals can take advantage of your need to be online and steal data from your device.

Even the FBI has warned to be wary of public Wi-Fi.

“Preventing internet-enabled crimes and cyber intrusions requires each of us to be aware and on guard,” the FBI wrote in a recent announcement.

“Be careful when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and do not conduct any sensitive transactions, including purchases, when on a public network.”

PHISHING MESSAGES

The third threat on the list could be lurking in your email app or text message inbox.

Phishing emails and texts sit waiting on devices, often containing dangerous links, and attachments.

Delete any suspicious messages without clicking on links or revealing any private information.

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This info-stealing malware is hiding in downloads for popular apps — how to stay safe

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Downloading new apps on your computer is usually a simple and straightforward process, but you now need to be extra careful when doing so as hackers have begun impersonating popular apps to spread malware.

According to a new blog post (opens in new tab) from the cybersecurity firm Cyble, hackers have begun using phishing pages designed to impersonate a number of popular apps online. While a user may think they’re downloading a widely used app, they’re actually installing malware on their computer.

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Former Uber security officer found guilty of hiding major hack from regulators

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An Uber executive was found guilty of paying off hackers to hide a major data breach from the Federal Trade Commission.

A federal jury found Joseph Sullivan, the former chief security officer at Uber, guilty of obstructing the FTC from investigating a 2016 hack of the ride-sharing platform.

“Sullivan affirmatively worked to hide the data breach from the Federal Trade Commission and took steps to prevent the hackers from being caught,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds in a press release. “We will not tolerate concealment of important information from the public by corporate executives more interested in protecting their reputation and that of their employers than in protecting users. Where such conduct violates the federal law, it will be prosecuted.”

GOOGLE ANNOUNCES PIXEL 7 AND FIRST-EVER SMARTWATCH

“The message in today’s guilty verdict is clear: companies storing their customers’ data have a responsibility to protect that data and do the right thing when breaches occur,” said FBI special agent Robert Tripp. “The FBI and our government partners will not allow rogue technology company executives to put American consumers’ personal information at risk for their own gain.”

Sullivan’s lawyers pushed back on the verdict. “Mr Sullivan’s sole focus — in this incident and throughout his distinguished career — has been ensuring the safety of people’s personal data on the internet,” said David Angeli, who represented Sullivan in court, according to Computing.

Sullivan was prosecuted over his role in a 2016 breach in which the data of 50 million users and seven million drivers was exposed, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Sullivan had only been on the job for a few months and assisted with an FTC investigation into a 2014 hack. However, the CSO attempted to hide the existence of the 2016 hack, telling employees that the information around it had to be “tightly controlled,” and paid the hackers $100,000 in bitcoin in exchange for them to sign non-disclosure agreements to not publicly speak about the security breach.

Uber fired Sullivan…

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16 Google Play Store apps caught hiding adware

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Apps hiding malware are becoming a common problem. Malicious apps like these have been around in third-party app stores for a while. But official app stores are supposed to protect us from bad actors getting to our devices.

Sadly, that’s not always the case. Cybercriminals can bypass security processes to get their malicious programs into official app stores. Tap or click here for a recent list of bad apps that you should delete ASAP.

A new threat was recently discovered that you need to know about. Malware dubbed Clicker was caught hiding in 16 apps that secretly click ads after installation. Keep reading for the list of bad apps and ways to protect your devices.

What is Clicker?

Cybercriminals the world over pride themselves on the different ways they’re able to squirm their malicious programs into your tech. Researchers at McAfee Labs recently discovered 16 apps hiding Clicker malware.

They all have one thing in common. They masquerade as useful utility apps, including a language translator, dictionary, and other tools like flashlights and task managers.

The reality is these apps are hiding adware. Once installed, the malware starts visiting sites in the background to click on ads, turning a profit for the cybercriminals while slowing down your system. It can even serve annoying pop-up ads on your device.

The apps were all on the Google Play Store and have been downloaded over 20 million times. Thankfully Google removed the apps in question once reported by McAfee. But that doesn’t mean you don’t already have one or more on your device.

Here’s the complete list:

  1. High-Speed Camera (10,000,000+ downloads)
  2. Smart Task Manager (5,000,000+ downloads)
  3. Flashlight+ (kr.caramel.flash_plus) (1,000,000+ downloads)
  4. 달력메모장 (1,000,000+ downloads)
  5. K-Dictionary (1,000,000+ downloads)
  6. BusanBus (1,000,000+ downloads)
  7. Flashlight+ (500,000+ downloads)
  8. Quick Note (500,000+ downloads)
  9. Currency Converter (500,000+ downloads)
  10. Joycode (100,000+ downloads)
  11. ExDica (100,000+ downloads)
  12. Instagram Profile Downloader (100,000+ downloads)
  13. Ez Notes (100,000+ downloads)
  14. 손전등 (1,000+ downloads)
  15. 계산기 (100+ downloads)
  16. Flashlight+ (com.dev.imagevault) (100+ downloads)

NOTE: There are two flashlight…

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