Android

Android Lock Patterns = Passwords

August 29, 2015 — Leave a comment

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It is really hard to believe that the ALPs or the Android Lock Patterns can be unforgivingly ridiculous as the ones, we have had a chance to examine for our good old passwords. When it comes to passwords, you can create an endless list of the easiest ones, you can figure out in a second.

Do we have to remind of some of the golden hits, such as 12345678 or the password as a password itself? Well, the same pattern exists among the numerous Android users. There are very few common patterns, which can allow you to unlock almost any smartphone. What is your excuse?

It seems that we are helplessly lazy and reckless, when it comes to our passwords and lock patterns. Then, if you do not want to learn it the easy way, the hackers will make sure you will remember it the hard way. Is there nothing we can do about it, for real? Have not you learned a thing, so far?

For some users passwords or smartphone lock patterns are obviously not necessary. Having a poor and a weak password or lock pattern is just like you do not have any. And, at the end of the long security day, you have the nerve to complain about the unsatisfactory state of cyber security.

Your Monthly Superhero

August 17, 2015 — Leave a comment

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It turns out that one of the worst, most recent Android security troubles called the Stagefright, has one more or less expected consequences. Are you eager to find out what happened, eventually? Well, for what is worth, both Google and Samsung are going to deliver security updates on a monthly basis.

So, it is a double bubble protection. Right? This is a simplified version, which is not too far away from the truth. On the other side, we had to face a cyber threat of epic proportions, in order to come to our senses. Then, it is better this way, than to wait for some security updates indefinitely, or which will come too late.

In plain English, if our math is right, we can expect one security update from Google, and one more from Samsung, for each and any month. Right? That is like, two security improvements per month, or Samsung is going to do some copy/paste of the things Google plans to deliver first? Either way, this is an invaluable win-win.

So, what is the moral of our sweet double-bubble security story? Well, sometimes something bad has to happen, in order to get something good. If the Stagefright was the price we had to pay, for our improved security, then let it be. It was worth it. But, no more bad things giving us good changes. Please.

The Stagefright Detector App

August 13, 2015 — Leave a comment

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The busy little bees, who discovered one of the most serious Android vulnerabilities, have done nicely their cyber-security homework. If you have a Nexus, then you do not have to use this app. You will know, when you are in the Stagefright trouble. But, what about the others?

Well, this app comes to the rescue. If you are aware about the problem on your Android smartphone, then you are almost half cured, so to speak. However, there is a catch, you should be fully aware about. Can you guess what it could possibly be?

Unfortunately, this app does what its name says it does, no more, no less. This is a detector, not a fixer of the problem it so successfully detects. That is why, we are extremely worried. Quite a few people are going to be disappointed or even angry. With no justifiable cause, of course.

Detection is the first, but definitely not the only step, on your road of cyber recovery. We should be grateful for this essential feature of this app, rather than to complain, why it does not fix what it detects at the moment. Our hats off to this app, the rest is up to you, as always.

Samsung Works Out Its Security Muscles

August 11, 2015 — Leave a comment

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How about regular mobile security updates on a monthly basis? Does this sound like a good plan for Samsung users? On the other hand, we just cannot help ourselves wondering, what made Samsung to turn the security “tide”, in this field, all of a sudden?

Well, from what we have heard, Google has initiated this security avalanche. How? For what is worth, Google wants to ensure the top security of its Nexus users. Regular security updates will become a common thing for them, regardless of current Nexus model or version they are using.

Samsung obviously thinks that this is a good idea. After all, they live in the same Android neighborhood, don’t they? If we are going to get regular and periodical security updates, then we are sure that someone is going to take care about our cyber-safety. Right?

Our hats are off to Samsung for this win-win strategy. It comes without saying that users are going to appreciate and award it accordingly. We just cannot wait to get the first available updates in this field. Keep up with the good work Samsung, and Android will remain to be the primary number one mobile choice.

Nintendo Malware Innuendo

July 18, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Ah, those merciless hackers, they always strike where it hurts us the most. It comes without saying that the modern hackers are reading their potential victims like a book. This is exactly, what is happening with a series of apps, which allow you to play your favorite games from the 1980s and 1990s.

It is really great to get this wonderful feeling back on your smartphone. However, we have to ask, is not the price for it a little bit too high? What are we talking about? It turns out that an Android app, which allows you to play old Nintendo games on your smartphone, is a notorious El Dorado of malware and viruses.

So, who is to blame? Do not blame it on Google. To tell you the truth, we believe that the busy little bees in Google have no idea what is happening with all those apps, due to the overwhelming abundance of new apps, which are pumping out at an unparalleled speed.

So, what are you supposed to do? Should you say no to all your nostalgic feelings? Here is a hint. You should do some checking first for each app you are about to use. This is the only way to have the right kind of a feeling, you are hopping to achieve. With no regrets, of course.

Make A Wish With The Sailfish

May 29, 2015 — Leave a comment

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This post’s picture says it all, doesn’t it? Here is the current situation in Russia, when it comes to the mobile OS options. Android takes up to 66%, while on the other side, iOS is somewhere between 21% and 23% of the entire Russian mobile market. What is that telling us?

Well, almost 90% of the Russian mobile paradise is in the evil American hands. That is the greatest Russian nightmare. So, what they are going to do about it? They will create a mobile OS on their own. It turns out that the open source platform called the Sailfish is going to be perfect for this purpose.

The Russians are pretty much ambitious about this one. By the end of 2025 more than 50% of the mobile OS market is supposed to be in Russian hands. Again. The users all over Russia are supposed to feel safe and protected in terms of their privacy. Right? Yet, why stop there?

There is more than one serious rumor that both Russia and China can launch their own Internet networks completely independent from the World Wide Web. If they want to. At any given moment. Yet, do we really need that? Each country should have its Net and mobile OS. Seriously?

Androidageddon

May 18, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Is there such a thing as the Android Armageddon? Is it possible, in the first place? Well, you should not raise your eyebrows. We are not talking about the SF movie, but rather about the real life situation. So, what needs to happen in order to reach the cyber Armageddon requirements?

Believe it or not,  according to the numerous cyber security experts there is a high level probability that the unimaginable DDoS attack of epic proportions may easily hit Android infrastructure, any moment now. How can this be possible? Is this an exaggeration?

Well, the unprecedented development in the Android field represents a strong encouragement for all bad Android boys and girls. You have a mobile OS, which is predominant in more than 90% of all smart devices. In addition, we are talking about the billions of potentially vulnerable devices.

As you can see our cyber stage is set for the worst case scenario. You do not have to wait too long for the volunteers, who are eager to build their hacker’s fame on the ruins of once powerful Android empire. Are we going to just sit and wait for Android Armageddon to happen?  

Android Financial Paranoid

March 21, 2015 — Leave a comment

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The busy little Kasersky Lab bees have some bad news for us. Again. This time, the focus of their work was on the financial components and services of the mobile Android OS. For what is worth, we strongly advise you of taking a deep breath before hearing these disturbing statistical data, in the first place.

Here it goes. The number of the financially oriented Android attacks in 2014 is more than three times higher compared to the previous year. What can we expect in 2015? Well, we do not even dare to ask. It seems that the hackers of the restless Android seas are after your cyber wallets this time.

We should mention the two most notorious villains in this field. The Trojan-SMS and Trojan-Banker are the most lethal and efficient ones. Unfortunately, the unparalleled popularity of Android OS has shown its ugly side. There is a reasonable fear it is going to become even worse in 2015.

So, what can you do to protect yourself properly? It would be a great thing to treat your mobile OS in the same way yountreat and protect your desktop OS. Maybe, it is about time for you to invest some money in the top quality mobile cyber-security solutions. Better now, than never or too late.

The Security Patch Wars

January 29, 2015 — Leave a comment

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It all started when Google had published a report about one extremely security flaw in the Windows 8 system. Microsoft was furious. For them that was an obvious sign of practices, which cannot be treated as fair and positive in their nature. In its defense Google said that it has waited long enough.

How long exactly? Well, more than 90 days, that was for sure. There is an unwritten rule that you have to wait for 90 days before you go public with your security flaw discovery. Why? This is a time period left for the warned party to do something about it and come up with the proper security patch.

Then, Microsoft decided to fight back with an announcement about the security trouble with the latest Android 5.0, or better known as the Lollipop. In the meantime, Google has found some security risks in the IOS, as well. Huh, and there is more. Google has just published two additional Windows security risks.

What is there for us, the users? This war of security patches is supposed to improve our safety and privacy. Instead, all what is left for hackers to do is to sit and wait for the next I-found-something-wrong report. By the time the appropriate security patch hits the network, you can rest assured they will take an advantage of the situation.

The 1st MS Security Patch In 2015

January 26, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Well, hell, it is about time. Why did we have to wait so long? To tell the absolute truth, we do not have a clue. Yet, for what is worth, Microsoft has closed the security door opened by Google. To be quite honest, Google has not done anything wrong, it just warned about the serious security flaw in Windows 8.

On the other hand, Microsoft was obviously hit straight into its most serious nerve. Microsoft replied that Google worries too much about its competitors, rather and more than its own customers. Then, we had to wait for more than four months to get this security patch in order to have careless dreams.

At the same Google has troubles of its own with the Android 5.0, or better known as the Lollipop. However, it is obviously easier to deal with other people’s problems, than your own, isn’t it? In addition, Microsoft just could not have issued a security patch for a single issue, regardless of its seriousness.

So, what is going to happen now? Are we to expect that Microsoft is to strike back? How? Well, it can find some vulnerability in Google’s system in return. In the meantime, while these two IT giants play their vanity games, we the users, still have to tremble. Does it really have to be this way? For real?