security - 4/11 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Mar

COMODO, Bitdefender, Zoolz Cloud Apps Hit The Play Store, Offer Users Tons Of Ways To Store, Sync, And Share Files From Their Android Device

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

A flurry of cloud storage apps have hit the Play Store in recent days, with COMODO Security Solutions, Bitdefender, and Genie9 all releasing official cloud solutions. Each of the new apps puts its own twist on cloud storage, offering slightly different features, so it's worth looking at each individually.

COMODO Cloud

Comodo Security Solutions, a respected purveyor of desktop (and Android) security solutions, released COMODO Cloud to the Play Store just a couple of days ago, bringing a practical, thoughtful solution to those seeking an easy cloud syncing option.

Comodo's cloud storage service for Android tips the scales among new cloud app entries, offering users 5GB of free storage, allowing for the upload of "any file," from photos to videos, apks, and more, adding special support for contact backup (just in case your contacts aren't synced with Google).

Mar

Kyocera Milano Receiving OTA Update To Build 1.006sp – Security, Bug Fixes In Tow

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Kyocera, News, Sprint

The Kyocera Milano - a mid-range phone released on Sprint last September - is receiving an OTA update, bringing the device's software up to version 1.006sp. The update includes several bug fixes, as well as a security patch, "changes" to the phone's roaming guard display, and Mobile Alert System capability. If the update hasn't pushed to your Milano just yet, you can manually check by hitting Settings > About Phone > System Update > Update Firmware.

There's no word on how big the update package is, but depending on your network connection, you may want to allow several minutes for download and installation.

Feb

[New App] Avira Jumps Into The Android Security Game, Combines Tried-And-True Functionality With A Polished Interface

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Applications, News

Avira, a "worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions," has thrown its hat into the Android security ring, releasing Avira Free Android Security to the Market today. The app offers a bevy of familiar anti-theft functions, including remote lock, scream, GPS tracking, and device info monitoring, among others.

Though Avira's solution offers the old standbys as far as anti-theft functionality, the app also has a few unique touches and key features that make it worth checking out.

First off, the service can handle multiple devices, which is a huge plus in my book. The app also allows users to add a convenient button to the lock screen which will call a predetermined phone number, allowing the person who finds your phone to get a hold of you quickly and easily.

Feb

Excellent Mobile Security App Cerberus Hits 100,000 Users, Offers Free Lifetime Licenses For A Few Days To Celebrate

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Applications, News

A few months ago, Liam spent some time with 17 mobile security apps, one of which was an app called Cerberus. He came away quite impressed - so impressed, in fact, that he crowned it the winner (and, as a license is just $4, it was also crowned the best for the budget-minded).

The app is always free to download and comes with a 1 week free trial, but a lifetime license is normally $4. I say normally because, as you have likely deduced from the title, the developer is offering free lifetime licenses in celebration of hitting 100,000 users.

To get the license, just download the app and register an account (it requires a username, password, and email address - nothing tricky), then fill out the form and hit Submit.

Feb

[Review] Security For The Minimalist: Bitdefender Mobile Security Takes Simple and Lightweight To Heart, Albeit At A Price

Posted by David Ruddock in Apps/Games, Reviews

Last Updated: February 23rd, 2012

I'll admit it, I'm anal about CPU and RAM usage. I'm the kind of person that goes into MSConfig every 6 months to scrape useless startup processes like barnacles off the hull of a ship to keep boot times down and squeeze every last possible increment of free RAM and CPU that I can (insert "Then you should use Linux" joke here) out of my system. If you're like me, then you probably avoid heavy, suite-ized security solutions like the bubonic plague crossed with bird flu. There's nothing worse than turning on a new Windows laptop and discovering Norton is installed.

Feb

[Updated: Prepaid Cards Are Back] Google Puts Prepaid Card Provisioning On Pause Following Wallet Security Scare

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

Following the discovery of two security exploits within Google Wallet, the Vice President of Google Wallet and Payments, Osama Bedier, released a statement reassuring readers that Google takes "concrete actions" to protect its users. The statement further indicated that, in response to Wallet's security scare, Google has put prepaid card provisioning on hold, at least until a permanent fix is issued (which should happen "soon").

Update 2/14/12: Prepaid card provisioning has been restored:

Yesterday afternoon, we restored the ability to issue new prepaid cards to the Wallet. In addition, we issued a fix that prevents an existing prepaid card from being re-provisioned to another user.

Feb

[Hands On] Norton Identity Safe Beta For Android Keeps Account Info Secure And Convenient, Provides An Enjoyable, Safe Browsing Experience

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

In an effort to keep all your passwords both safe and convenient, while also protecting your web surfing experience, Symantec has created Norton Identity Safe Beta, an app that allows users to store their login information on their computer and mobile device, while enjoying a safe browsing experience on both.

Many of you may be aware that there are several apps that perform this function already. SplashID Safe, Keeper Password & Data Vault, and others provide a very similar service, but Norton ID Safe brings a couple of key differences to the table.

First off, Norton's solution not only offers a Mac/PC element, but actually requires users to be running the service on their computer to use the mobile application.

Feb

[Update: Download Now] DROID 4 Universal Motorola Root Methods Discovered, Both Being Withheld Until A $500 Bounty Is Raised

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Development, Droid 4, News

Update: You can download a batch script to root your DROID 4 now (you'll need to have USB debugging and Unknown Sources enabled in the Application settings menu). Find the file on this page, and if you can spare it, take the time to donate to Dan Rosenberg for finding the exploit. All proceeds will go directly to charity, in this case, the American Red Cross.

Widely known and respected security researcher Dan Rosenberg has evidently uncovered a root method for the Droid 4, in addition to a universal Motorola root method. Though the Droid 4's root access was discovered less than a day after its release, both exploits are being withheld until a $500 bounty is raised.

Feb

Google Wallet's PIN Verification Cracked (Again), No Root Access Required

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Applications, News

Last Updated: February 13th, 2012

Yesterday, a security firm called zvelo demonstrated a vulnerability within Google Wallet, cracking its PIN verification system using brute force, giving Wallet access to anyone who had the exploit. It was also revealed that the hack only worked on rooted devices, and Google swiftly reported that a fix for the bug was already being worked on.

Adding to Google Wallet's security worries, a new hack was posted online today, claiming to give access to Google Wallet (sans PIN) on non-rooted devices, requiring just a few steps to gain user information (and funds).

The Smartphone Champ reported on the newly-discovered flaw, explaining just how the exploit works:

The security flaw is painfully easy to do and requires no extra software nor does it require root. All a person who wants to access your Google Wallet has to do is go into the application settings menu and clear the data for the Google Wallet app. After doing that your Google Wallet app will be reset and will prompt for you to set a new pin the next time you open it. The problem here is that since Google Wallet is tied to the device itself and not tied to your Google account, that once they set the new pin and log into the app, when they add the Google prepaid card it will add the card that is tied to that device. In other words, they’d be able to add your card and have full access to your funds.

Feb

Google Brings In The Muscle: Meet Bouncer, The Market's Anti-Malware Machine - And It's Already At Work

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in Applications, Apps/Games, News

As Android has grown from a small hobbyists OS to the mainstream-conquering behemoth it is today, so has the amount of malware directed towards it. A large chunk of the problem comes from malicious apps that make it into the Android Market - often times, duplicates of popular apps with a few strings of code thrown in that allow the app to transmit personal information or hijack the device.

Makers of anti-virus apps claim that there's more malware in the market than ever, painting the picture of a wild west-esque place that's ever-more attractive to the scum of the app universe.