The advisories say the spyware apps are used to target members of civil society who may oppose China’s state interests.
Category: Android
Amnesty, Amnesty International, Android, Cellebrite, Exploits, Global Security News, Google, Security, Serbia, zero days
Google fixes two Android zero-day bugs actively exploited by hackers
The most severe security bug can be exploited without user interaction, per Google.
Android, Cellebrite, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Google, Mobile, Mobile Security, security patch, Technology, Threats, vulnerabilities, zero days
Google addresses 2 actively exploited vulnerabilities in security update
Google addressed 62 vulnerabilities affecting Android devices in its April security update, including a pair of actively exploited software defects that were first disclosed in December. Google said the two vulnerabilities — CVE-2024-53197 and CVE-2024-53150 — “may be under limited, targeted exploitation.” The pair of flaws under active exploitation are high-severity and affect the Linux…
Android, Cybersecurity, evergreens, Global Security News, How To, Security, stalkerware
This sneaky Android spyware needs a password to uninstall. Here’s how to remove it without one.
A simple trick can remove malicious Android spyware apps that require a password to uninstall.
.net, Android, Cybersecurity, Developer, developers, Global Security News, Google, malware, Microsoft, Mobile Security, Mobility, News, Security
Android Malware Exploits a Microsoft-Related Security Blind Spot to Avoid Detection
Microsoft’s .NET MAUI lets developers build cross-platform apps in C#, but its use of binary blob files poses new risks by bypassing Android’s DEX-based security checks.
A Little Sunshine, Android, Apple Pay, Asia Pacific, Bernie Lyon, CSIS Security Group, Ford Merrill, Global Security News, Google Apple, Ne'er-Do-Well News, SecAlliance, tap-to-pay fraud, The Coming Storm, Z-NFC
Arrests in Tap-to-Pay Scheme Powered by Phishing
Authorities in at least two U.S. states last week independently announced arrests of Chinese nationals accused of perpetrating a novel form of tap-to-pay fraud using mobile devices. Details released by authorities so far indicate the mobile wallets being used by the scammers were created through online phishing scams, and that the accused were relying on…
Android, AppSec, Cybersecurity, DevSecOps, Featured, Global Security News, News, root access, Security Boulevard (Original), Social - Facebook, Social - LinkedIn, Social - X, Spotlight
Report: More Attacks Aimed at Android Devices Configured with Root Access
A report published today by Zimperium, a provider of a platform for securing mobile devices and applications, today finds devices running the Android operating system that have enabled root-level privileges are 3.5 times more likely to be attacked, resulting in 250 times more cybersecurity incidents. The post Report: More Attacks Aimed at Android Devices Configured…
Android, Australia, Canada, Global IT News, Global Security News, Israel, Italy, paragon, Paragon Solutions, privacy, Security, Spyware, surveillance
Researchers name several countries as potential Paragon spyware customers
The Citizen Lab said it believes several governments may be customers of spyware maker Paragon Solutions. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Android, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google Search, Healthcare
Google launches new healthcare-related features for Search, Android
Google on Tuesday announced new products and features aimed at healthcare use cases, including improved overviews in Google Search for health queries, medical records APIs, and new health-focused “open” AI models. In Search, Google says it’s using AI and ranking systems to expand “knowledge panel” answers on thousands of health-related topics, and adding support for…
Android, Apple, Cybersecurity, encryption, end-to-end encryption, Global Security News, Google, iPhone, Mobile Security, Mobility, Security
iPhone-Android: A Major Privacy Upgrade is Coming Soon
This breakthrough will finally allow secure, encrypted messaging between different mobile platforms.
accessibility, Android, Android 16, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Hardware
Android is adding Auracast support, which allows hearing aids to connect to public audio broadcasts
Google announced on Thursday that Android phones will soon support Auracast, a new Bluetooth technology that uses a phone to enable a direct connection from hearing aids to audio broadcasts in noisy environments. With Auracast, compatible hearing aids and earbuds can receive direct audio streams, such as a PA system at a train station or…
alternative app stores, Android, Apps, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Play Store, PhonePe, Xiaomi
Xiaomi to preinstall PhonePe’s app store on smartphones sold in India
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi said on Thursday that its Android smartphones sold in India will come preinstalled with Indian fintech company PhonePe’s app store. Xiaomi’s Android smartphones usually come preinstalled with Google’s Play Store and the Chinese company’s own GetApps. Xiaomi said that it has signed a multi-year deal with PhonePe to replace GetApps with…
Android, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google Play, Lookout, malware, Security, Spyware, TC
North Korean government hackers snuck spyware on Android app store
Cybersecurity firm Lookout found several samples of a North Korean spyware it calls KoSpy. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Google Pixel, Scam detection
Google’s March Pixel Drop has AI-powered scam detection and live location sharing with friends
Google announced new software updates for the Pixel phones as part of its so-called Pixel Drop program for March. Pixel Watches and all Android devices are also receiving some new features. The most notable parts of the update include using AI to detect scams in messages and calls, better categorization in the screenshot app, menstrual…
Android, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Google, security patch, Technology, vulnerabilities
Android security update contains 2 actively exploited vulnerabilities
Google addressed 43 vulnerabilities affecting Android devices in its March security update, including a pair of software defects reportedly under active exploitation. Google said the two vulnerabilities — CVE-2024-43093 and CVE-2024-50302 — “may be under limited, targeted exploitation.” The most severe of the flaws under active exploitation, CVE-2024-43093, carries a CVSS score of 7.8 and…
Android, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, TC
Google Play update makes it easier to find Android apps with widgets
Google announced Monday a series of changes to its widgets system on Android that will make it easier for app developers to reach their users. Widgets, which offer at-a-glance views of an app’s most important information — like the day’s weather or upcoming meetings on your calendar — are a key aspect of Android home…
Android, Apple, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Have I Been Pwned, iPad, iPhone, Security, Spyware, stalkerware
Spyzie stalkerware is spying on thousands of Android and iPhone users
Another little-known phone monitoring outfit has quietly amassed half a million customers, whose email addresses are now in Have I Been Pwned. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amnesty, Amnesty International, Android, Cellebrite, Global IT News, Global Security News, hacking, Security, Serbia, Spyware
Cellebrite suspends Serbia as customer after claims police used firm’s tech to plant spyware
Security researchers found evidence that Cellebrite was used by Serbian police to hack into the cellphones of a local journalist and an activist. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Global Security News, Guest blog, malware, Spyware, stalkerware, vulnerability
Flaw found in stalkerware apps, exposing millions of people. Here’s how to find out if your phone is being spied upon
A serious security vulnerability has been found in popular stalkerware apps, exposing the sensitive personal information and communications of millions of people. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Android, Cybercrime, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Play, Media & Entertainment, privacy, Security, Spyware, stalkerware, vietnam
Your Android phone could have stalkerware. Here’s how to remove it
This simple guide helps you identify and remove common consumer-grade spyware apps from your Android phone. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Cybersecurity, Global IT News, Global Security News, iPad, Security, stalkerware
Stalkerware apps Cocospy and Spyic are exposing phone data of millions of people
A bug in the Android and iPhone monitoring operations allows anyone to access private data exfiltrated from a victim’s device. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Amazon, Amazon Android App Store, Android, Apps, Global IT News, Global Security News
Amazon is shutting down its app store on Android
Amazon will discontinue its app store for Android on August 20 this year. The company sent a notice to developers indicating that they will no longer be able to submit new apps to the store. The company said on a support page that it will also discontinue its Coins digital currency, which could be used…
Android, Cybersecurity, Exclusive, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google, Hackers, hacking, Italy, Lookout, malware, Security, SIO, Spyware, WhatsApp
Spyware maker caught distributing malicious Android apps for years
Italian company SIO, which sells to government customers, is behind an Android spyware campaign called Spyrtacus that spoofed popular apps like WhatsApp, per security researchers. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
AI, Android, Enterprise, Global IT News, Global Security News, Llama, open source, OpenUK, State of Open Con
Why the ‘spirit’ of open source means much more than a license
Arguments about what is and isn’t “open source” are often resolved by deferring to the Open Source Initiative (OSI): If a piece of software is available under a license rubber stamped as “open source” by the OSI’s formal “definition,” then that software is open source. But waters muddy when you get into the nuts and…
Android, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, Mobile, Qualcomm, vulnerabilities
Android security update includes patch for actively exploited vulnerability
Google has addressed a total of 47 security vulnerabilities in its February update for the Android operating system, highlighted by the patching of a critical flaw that has reportedly been under active exploitation. The primary focus of the security update is CVE-2024-53104, a high-severity vulnerability affecting the USB Video Class (UVC) driver in the Linux…
AI, Android, Apps, ChatGPT, deepseek, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google Play Store
DeepSeek reaches No. 1 on US Play Store
Chinese AI lab DeepSeek’s Android app has taken the No. 1 spot on the Google Play Store, days after the chatbot app clinched the top spot on the App Store. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Android, Android 16, Apps, Gadgets, Global IT News, Global Security News, Google
Android 16’s first beta version brings iOS-style live notifications
After releasing two developer beta versions last year, Google introduced the first public beta for Android 16 on Thursday. New features include live updates on the lock screen (like Live Activities on iOS), Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec for high-quality video recording, and a framework for developers to make their apps adaptable for different screen…
agent, AI, Android, Apps, Assistant, Global IT News, Global Security News, Perplexity, perplexity assistant
Perplexity launches an assistant for Android
AI-powered search engine Perplexity has launched an “agent,” of sorts, called Perplexity Assistant, which Perplexity says uses reasoning, search, and apps to help with daily tasks. Perplexity Assistant, which is available for Android devices as of Thursday in the Perplexity app, can take “multi-app actions,” the company says, like hailing a ride or searching for…
accessibility, Android, Biotech & Health, gemini, Global IT News, Global Security News, Hardware, hearing aid, Samsung, samsung galaxy s25, samsung unpacked
Samsung Unpacked 2025: Google is bringing improved hearing aid features
Alongside a slew of announcements tied to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 launch at Samsung Unpacked 2025 on Wednesday, Google announced a pair of accessibility improvements for Android. This includes improvements to the screen reader, along with hearing aid functionality. The hearing aid updates arrive after Google expanded the offering as part of its Android 15 rollout.…
Android, browser extension, Global Security News, honey, iOS, Kagi, macOS, PayPal, Podcast, privacy, Smashing Security, Web Browsers, Windows
Smashing Security podcast #399: Honey in hot water, and reset your devices
Ever wonder how those “free” browser extensions that promise to save you money actually work? We dive deep into the controversial world of Honey, the coupon-finding tool owned by PayPal, and uncover a scheme that might be leaving you with less savings and your favorite YouTubers with empty pockets. Plus, we take a look at…
Android, CVE, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Samsung, vulnerabilities
Android patches several vulnerabilities in first security update of 2025
Android has released its first security update of the year, disclosing several critical and high-severity vulnerabilities that affect a wide range of Android devices. The bulletin identifies five critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities affecting what Android categorizes as the “system,” which encompasses Android’s core components and underlying architecture. These vulnerabilities could allow attackers to…
Android, Apple, Cybersecurity, encryption, Global Security News, Google, identity theft, Microsoft, Mobile Security, password manager, phishing, privacy, Ransomware, Security, spam, TR Academy, trend micro
Protect 3 Devices With This Maximum Security Software
Trend Micro guards desktop and mobile devices from ransomware, phishing schemes, spam, and more for one year.
Android, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), encrpytion, FIDO, Global Security News, Government, iPhone, Mobile Security, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Salt Typhoon, signal, SIM Swapping, smartphone, Threats, Yubico
CISA pushes guide for high-value targets to secure mobile devices
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency unveiled a detailed set of guidelines Wednesday to safeguard the mobile communications of high-value government targets in the wake of the ongoing Salt Typhoon telecom breach. The guide aims to help both political and federal leadership harden their communications and avoid any data interception by the Chinese-linked espionage group.…