Samsung

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.

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.

Samsung Pay Doesn’t Like The Rooted Play

July 28, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Samsung Pay was introduced almost hand-in-hand with its latest flagships Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. However, the latest announcement has it that Samsung is not going to allow you to use this mobile payment service, if you are planning to run it on the so-called rooted devices.

Why? Is that a fair thing to do? Well, from the Samsung’s point of view, it certainly is. If you want to succeed in the cyber world, you just have to follow the money flow, as simple and as complicated as that. All eyes, ears, and especially fingers are on the mobile money.

Apple Pay is already fully operational. Google wants to improve its Wallet service even further. And, the list goes on and on. Every major IT players nowadays has its own mobile payment service. It is not a matter of prestige, but the basic business survival, under the new circumstances.

That is why, Samsung simply cannot afford itself a luxury of compromising its golden goose called Samsung Pay. What you are going to do with your rooted phone is your own thing, but you can forget about payment operations with it. Fair or not fair, Samsung has made up its mind in this situation.

For Our Korean Eyes Only

July 4, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Not so long ago, the fingerprint scan technology for the top smartphones was a matter of true prestige and the absolute security imperative. Nowadays, we have become spoiled and extremely picky users, who are hungry like the mobile wolves, when it comes to new shiny things.

Bigger-better-stronger, and by default more expensive has become the dominant imperative in the latest mobile development. So, how about an eye-scanner for your smartphone? Would you like to use some of this James Bond technology for your cyber-mobile-pet? Samsung and LG are up to the taks.

We have no doubts that this new rocket science technology is going to be a safe one. But, we have some second thoughts, when it comes to its efficiency and reliability. Are we going to be obliged to do this eye-scanning thing each time we want to use our smartphone? How quick it would be?

Just when you thought that the evil-cyber-empire has had enough of our private data, there is bad news, such as this one, to prove you all wrong. What was that old saying about eyes and windows? Maybe, some windows and doors are the best as they are right now. Closed.

Galaxy S(ecurity) 6

February 5, 2015 — Leave a comment

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Here is a promise in the air. It is entirely up to you, whether or not you are going to fall for it. Among other shiny and memorable things and features the new Samsung Galaxy 6 is supposed to do something useful for our security and privacy, as well. Can you guess what could it possibly be? Do you dare?

For what is worth, your finger comes with a big secret. There is a serious rumor about the new and improved ID fingerprint scanner. All what it would be necessary for you to do in order to use it properly is to press the specially designed area. That is all. No left or right. No forward or back. Only a simple touch.

We.do not want to spoil the party, nor ruin your optimistic mood, but there is an unavoidable dark cloud in the Samsung’s Galaxy. You have probably heard that there is a way to hack this fingerprint scan technology. Apparently, there is a way you can take the pictures of a fingerprint in order to trick the system.

This is a nice initiative and an effort, which deserves some honest respect on our end. However, what is going to happen with the old enemy within? Who or what is going to protect us from the malicious things we cannot touch with our precious and sensitive fingers? How about that Samsung for a change?

Virus vs Virus

January 20, 2015 — Leave a comment

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What do you know, it turns out that there are two completely different types of viruses, which live in the different parts of our smartphones. On the one side, we have the good old cyber viruses, which like to move inside our shiny little gadgets we hold so dear and sometimes literally precious.

On the other side, you should be fully aware that there are some unwanted guests, which like to set up a camp on our smartphone’s surface. Both of them are equally dangerous and harmful for our health. The cyber viruses can seriously influence your mental health once they get into your smartphone.

When it comes to the living viruses, you cannot imagine what your smartphone represents for them. There is no more suitable surface for all kinds of the most serious viruses and bacteria you can possibly think about than your beloved smartphone. So, what is the moral of this story? What can we do about it?

Well, for what is worth, we should be equally careful about both sides of protection from the inside and on the outside. It is a nice thing to install and run an efficient antivirus software on your smartphone. However, you should also clean the extremely compromised surface every now and then. Right?

Taiwan Rules

December 10, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Our hats off to Taiwan. Why? Well, they have conducted a thorough check of the smartphones, which circulate in its market. As a result, we have a list of 12 models, which do not comply with the privacy protection requirements. Maybe, it is more advisable for us to be a little bit more precise about this one.

One of the latest privacy related controversies included the so-called Chinese Apple or Xiaomi. According to some security experts, Xiaomi smartphones have a firmware option to send all user data secretly and with no authorization back to China. What a nightmare for the Taiwan authorities, isn’t it?

Apple, Samsung, HTC and Xiaomi are the major smartphone brands in Taiwan. So far, Sasmung, HTC and even the Xiaomi itself have expressed the unconditional willingness to cooperate closely with the strict Taiwan privacy regulations. The funny thing, though, is that Apple keeps silent about this one.

No need to ask you about the moral of this story. Right? Can you imagine the USA or China of imposing similar privacy related requirements. Oh, what a lovely sight that would have been. We can only dream about it, or we can put some additional pressure on our governments follow Taiwan’s indicative example.

The Poisonous Lollipop

November 30, 2014 — Leave a comment

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This is what happens when you expect unreasonably too much. Very similar to a situation when you fall in love. You ask, expect and desire too much. At the end of the day, your house of cards collapses in a second. We have strived for the true miracles the Lollipop was supposed to deliver in the Android world.

So, what do we got in return? The Lollipop is designed to work on all devices, which run on Android. However, the alarming number of users has begun reporting some extremely problematic things associated with the new Android 5.0. The apps are disappearing. Your device is slow in performance.

Let us not forget to mention the battery, which loses precious minutes instead of ensuring the additional time for your smartphone. On the other hand, the regular updates can be very dangerous for the well-being of your device. Is this something we can characterize as the warming up trouble?

Or, maybe there is something more serious taking place in the background? It would be unwise for Google to treat these complaints as the manifestations of the spoiled users, who are accepting nothing less than a pure perfection. In the meantime, we have to look for some other candy.

Samsung Galaxy vs Nokia 3310

November 29, 2014 — Leave a comment

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It is a ridiculous thing to even try comparing these two mobile phones in the very first place. Who could have done such a thing and what could we possibly prove with that? Luckily for us, there are some busy little bees with some funny and original unorthodox ideas. This is what we got as a result.

The very purpose of some very painful experiments for our dearest shining gadgets was to prove how far we have gotten with our progress. Really, once a proud pioneer of the promising mobile revolution looks like a primitive toy compared to its younger smartphone relatives. Yet, this is notnthe whole story.

It turns out that our old little fellow is more resistant in both real and cyber worlds. How could that be? It is quite simple actually. If you try to break it, you will have to put some additional effort. On the other hand, if you want to hack it, you have to forget about it. Sometimes, being primitive has its advantages.

So, which one should you use? The modern one, of course. Why? So, you can enjoy all those shiny apps. Then why was it necessary to destroy two phones to make only one point? Believe it, it was totally worth it. This is a nice reminder that we have not achieved anything remarkable. We have merely improved it.

Here Comes FIDO

September 28, 2014 — Leave a comment

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If you thought that FIDO is a new Hobbit’s name, then you should do some extra IT Security 101. Without any exaggeration we can say that the FIDO technology and standard is the next big thing in the world of smartphones. It stands for the Fast IDentification Online or simply FIDO.

So, what is this FIDO all about? Well, we are talking about the next generation of mobile payment solutions, which will definitely send to a retirement all password-based payment systems. This so-called biometric e-business is based on the fingerprint technology, eye scanners, and voice recognition systems.

It is supposed to be a win-win situation for us, the proud users of smartphones. On the one side, we will enjoy greater freedom with simplified and more efficient mobile payment technology. On the other side, we would certainly appreciate the significantly improved sense of cyber security.

So, what is still left to do? We need to remind our dearest major IT league players to invite FIDO on their devices as soon as possible. For what is worth Samsung is already there with its Galaxy S5 smartphone. On the other hand, Apple is determined to introduce its ApplePay. Do you feel protected already?