security - Android Community

Tagged: security

Carrier IQ backs off, apologizes to Android security whistleblower

By Michael Crider
on 23 Nov, 2011

That was fast. Just one day after threatening an XDA-Developers member with legal action over exposing embarrassing privacy violations in their network management software, Carrier IQ has retracted its demands and issued a public apology. The retraction came after the EFF came to TrevE's legal aid and blogs and news sites around the Internet slammed the company's actions. Recognizing a public relations nightmare when they saw one, the company said it was "deeply sorry for any concern or trouble that our letter may have caused Mr. Eckhart." The press release went on to say that Carrier IQ's software doesn't record keystrokes, location or usage information, in direct opposition to TrevE's findings.

EFF defends Android whistleblower from Carrier IQ lawsuit

By Michael Crider
on 23 Nov, 2011

Smartphones are a minefield of potential privacy and security violations on the best of days, and careless software implementations like HTC's recent Sense UI issue don't help. So when XDA-Developers poster TrevE found some disturbingly direct violations of Android users' privacy in the Carrier IQ tracking software, he made it known to as many people as possible, with citations and evidence as needed. Now Carrier IQ has sent him a cease and desist letter, threatening legal action if he doesn't remove his research and allegations. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a legal defense group for technology enthusiasts and issues, has offered him assistance.

Motorola DROID Receives Security Fix

By Sam Koutroulakis
on 21 Nov, 2011

The original Motorola DROID is finally getting some attention with a quick security fix update. No, this isn't the official update to 2.3 (Gingerbread) that we had hoped for, but it's an update none the less. These two security updates will only be available to those OG DROID users out there with a completely stock ROM, kernel, and recovery.

Report: most free anti-malware apps are almost useless

By Michael Crider
on 11 Nov, 2011

Malware is a growing problem for Android, both within the Android Market and without. But when it comes to free applications, it looks like users aren't getting a lot of help. According to a security report from AVTest in Germany, nearly all the free anti-malware apps are almost completely useless, with many failing to detect even a single threat in a test environment. Their results after testing seven popular free apps are below - it looks like users are getting exactly what they pay for.

Webroot warns of rogue Russian trojan networks

By Shane McGlaun
on 7 Nov, 2011

If you are the sort that downloads apps for alternative markets for your Android device, security firm Webroot has a warning for you. According to the company, there is a new network of convincing fake app stores that are pushing rogue apps with trojans inside. So far, most of the websites in the network that have been found are in Russian language.

Norton expands Android offerings with Tablet Security app

By Michael Crider
on 2 Nov, 2011

Norton, peddlers of all things software security related, already has an established presence on the Android platform with its Mobile Security app, already available in the Android Market. Like always the company is looking to expand its offerings, and the latest comes in Norton Tablet Security, set to release soon for $39.99, recurring every year. Though it's marketed as a tablet app, Tablet Security will work on all Android 2.2 Froyo devices and later.

Dolphin Browser responds: Webzines disabled, no breach in user privacy [Updated]

By Michael Crider
on 28 Oct, 2011

Yesterday we posted findings from one intrepid XDA-Developers member who claimed that the popular alternative browser Dolphin Browser HD was sending private user information, including URLs, clicks and searches, to a remote server. The developer has responded with an explanation of the more technical aspects of their Webzine feature, and according to a representative that contacted us today, the part of the browser that raised alarms has been temporarily disabled. The developer claims that there was absolutely no breach in user privacy or data security. UPDATE: Dolphin Browser's PR representative has contacted us again to let us know that users should update to the latest version of Dolphin Browser, 7.0.2, to disable the security issues. Version 7.0.1 has not been modified.

Possible Dolphin Browser security and privacy issues found [Updated]

By Michael Crider
on 27 Oct, 2011

Dolphin Browser HD is one of the most popular 3rd-party browsers in the Android Market, and with good reason. But an issue with version 6 and the current version 7 have raised the eyebrows of some users over at the ever-inventive XDA-Developers forum. According to forum poster "Fnorder", the new Webzine feature records every link, search and visited page and sends them to a remote server. If true, the breach of Dolphin users' privacy is very disturbing indeed. UPDATE: In response to the security and privacy concerns, the makers of Dolphin Browser have disabled the Webzine feature. According to the developer, user browsing data was never saved, and users' security has not been compromised.

HTC ThunderBolt Gingerbread update rolls out again, with security fix

By Michael Crider
on 26 Oct, 2011

It's been a rocky road to Gingerbread for the HTC ThunderBolt, but it appears that Verizon is once again pushing out the long-awaited update. The original 2.3 over-the-air update began back in late September, but serious bugs and glitches led the Verizon to suspend updates just a couple of days later. The new and presumably corrected update also includes HTC's fix for the massive security flaws discovered on all Sense phone earlier.

Trend Micro teams up with KDDI to make Android more secure

By Shane McGlaun
on 20 Oct, 2011

Trend Micro and KDDI have announced that they will be teaming up to ship Android smartphones that come out of the box with Trend Micro security protection. The smartphones packing in the new security software will start shipping in the middle of November. Trend Micro will load the smartphones up with its Virus Buster Mobile for au software.