Security News

Samsung commits to 5 years of Android updates... for its enterprise smartphone users at least
2021-06-29 21:01

Samsung today committed to provide its enterprise-edition flagships with half a decade's worth of security updates. The eligible devices include the enterprise versions of the Galaxy S20 series, the Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Note 20 series, the ruggedised Galaxy XCover 5, and the Galaxy Tab Active 3.

Android: How to enable the Password Checkup feature
2021-06-28 14:00

Google has released a new password checker for Android. Find out how to enable and use this security feature on your Android device.

Windows 11 will let you run Android apps directly on the desktop
2021-06-24 16:03

During today's Windows 11 event, Microsoft announced that Android apps are coming to Windows 11 and can be run just like any other application installed in the operating system. To demonstrate the feature, Microsoft launched the TikTok Android app directly from the Start Menu and used it just like any other app, including support for the new Windows Snap Group feature.

How to use the Android Photos Locked Folder feature
2021-06-23 13:30

The Google Photos Locked Folder feature has finally arrived and Jack Wallen wants to show you how to use it. It's funny how Google will announce a new feature in an upcoming rollout, only to then hold that feature back, even after the rollout has happened.

Research Shows Many Security Products Fail to Detect Android Malware Variants
2021-06-22 10:10

A group of academic researchers has created a tool that can be used to clone Android malware and test the resilience of these new variants against anti-malware detection. Testing against 17 commercial anti-malware engines has shown that half don't detect the clones.

DroidMorph Shows Popular Android Antivirus Fail to Detect Cloned Malicious Apps
2021-06-21 03:05

A new research published by a group of academics has found that anti-virus programs for Android continue to remain vulnerable against different permutations of malware, in what could pose a serious risk as malicious actors evolve their toolsets to better evade analysis. Unlike iOS, apps can be downloaded from third-party sources on Android devices, raising the possibility that unwitting users can install unverified and lookalike apps that clone a legitimate app's functionality but are built to trick targets into downloading apps laced with fraudulent code that are capable of stealing sensitive information.

Google force installs Massachusetts MassNotify Android COVID app
2021-06-19 20:14

Google is force-installing a Massachusetts COVID-19 tracking app on residents' Android devices without an easy way to uninstall it. For the past few days, users have reported that Google silently installed the Massachusetts 'MassNotify' app on their devices without the ability to open it or find it in the Google Play Store.

Google force installs Massachusetts MassNotify app on Android phones
2021-06-19 20:14

Google is force-installing a Massachusetts COVID-19 tracking app on residents' Android devices without an easy way to uninstall it. For the past few days, users have reported that Google silently installed the Massachusetts 'MassNotify' app on their devices without the ability to open it or find it in the Google Play Store.

Google Rolls out E2EE For Android Messages App
2021-06-16 16:55

Google has finally enabled end-to-end encryption for the Messages app in Android but the privacy-enhancing tool remains somewhat limited. Google announced end-to-end encryption is now available in Android, but only for one-on-one conversations between users of the Messages app.

Google Patches Critical Android RCE Bug
2021-06-08 19:02

Google patched more than 90 security vulnerabilities in its Android operating system impacting its Pixel devices and third-party Android handsets, including a critical remote code-execution bug that could allow an attacker to commandeer a targeted vulnerable mobile device. The Android System component of the OS also has a second critical vulnerability, an elevation-of-privilege issue tracked as CVE-2021-0516.