New Android malware hits Denmark

The mazar malware has started to spread across Europe and this time, it has hit Denmark. As reported by Heimdal Security, the virus has been spread across 100,000 phones in Denmark and has stated that it is difficult to say how much damage been caused by the malware.

The virus operates through text messages wherein once installed, it would send all web traffic by creating a malicious proxy. This would allow the attackers to access sensitive details from the user's web activities. 

The virus is said to have its source from SMS. You would get an SMS stating something and if you fall for it, then that would the end of your privacy. Users have to just ignore those messages which asks you to follow a link. It is also said that phones running on kit kat are the ones affected. Much older versions are also said to be victims of this virus.

Although, many security firms have worked on it, only 3 of them have detected this virus. It is only Heimdal that has shared it's results with public.

Google kills a hacker bug, patches critical flaws

Yet again a news on security flaws in Android. Google has fixed a serious bug on Android that could remotely be exploited by email, MMS or link on a webpage which contains specially crafted media file. Also, Google patched seven critical flaws in their February patch for nexus devices that would affect the mediaserver service of the Android Operating System. The flaw would mean that your device could be remotely hacked when the mediaserver processes the files delivered by either email or MMS or through a webpage. The flaws affect Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 4.4.4 Kitkat.

Google has also announced some equally serious bug in Broadcom Wi-fi driver that would allow the hacker to remotely corrupt the OS kernel and gain access to the device.

So overall, the February update has addressed 13 security bugs that included seven critical, five highly severe and two moderate. 

New android ransomware using clickjacking to gain admin privilages

Now, another news on Android malwares and this time, it is on ransomwares. Hackers have found a way to get administrative privilages using these.

File-encrypting ransomwares have now targeted the Android devices. One such technique is the clickjacking technique that tricks the users to grant admin privilages. Clickjacking is a malicious technique of tricking the user to click something and thus getting access to the computer thereby revealing confidential information of the user's device. A clickjack will take an embedded form of code that has the potential to execute without the user's knowledge (like clicking a button that shows that you can download a file but executes some other function). 

As stated by pcworld, the ransomware applications targeting Android has been less significant due to its restrictions in application permissions. It is also stated that Android devices running on (atleast) 5.0 lollipop are protected from these ransomwares. But, most of the devices still run older versions of Android (older than lollipop). 

It's advised to all users to download applications only from trusted venders (or on Play Store which is highly recommended) to prevent any such ransomwares on your devices.

Amazing drone display enters Guinness

Recent CES 2016 saw the unveiling of the new technologies that included drones as the future of aviation and technology. Yuneec electronic aviation had developed a done with the help of Intel 6th generation processors. A drone display that used 100 drones was conducted that has entered the Guinness book of records. Here is the link of that video
https://youtu.be/mOBQXuu_5Zw

Lenevo to phase out motorola

Lenevo's acquisition of Motorola in 2014 will now result in disappearance of Motorola brand name from the smartphone market.
In his interaction at the CES 2016, Motorola Chief Operating Officer Rich Osterloh said that Motorola beans would be phased out this year. However, lenevo would use the Moto brand name for it's high-end smartphones and the Vibe brand name for its budget phones.

Google patches critical flaws in Android

Again you heard of the security flaw in Android. Last time, Google has fixed some security flaws which included the core part of the system. This time also, it include the core of the system.

Google has fixed a dozen security vulnerabilities of which 5 are rated critical.This time, Android 5.0 and later are the versions affected.

You might think that you would have heard this on this vulnerability before. That's because month after month, the "mediaserver" service remains the most problematic component of Android. Google has copied and pasted almost every word from the same text every month for every component affected.

The critical vulnerability affects the core part of (Android) software which has got the access to permissions that the third-party apps do not have. Another flaw that exists in handling of bluetooth and Wi-Fi handling of the Android software. Other flaws include those that affect the kernel.

While it's a good news that Google's own security team discovered the flaw, it's surely not good to hear that the most popular mobile operating system has been affected by critical flaws.

Android N:Google may use online pool to name the new version

With Android Marshmallow (6.0) released and Android N undergoing development, much is anticipated on the name that must be given to it. In his recent visit to India, Google CEO Sunder Pichai was asked on why an Indian Dessert name was not given. Reacting to it, Sunder said that he would conduct an online poll to decide on it.

Yes.Google has decided to conduct an online poll to decide on the name. This is a good news for android fans across the world as many of them have been suggesting names in many online portals from the time Google started naming its OS versions after desserts. This way Google is indirectly making its users to contribute to their favorite platform.

So far, the following names have been getting a lot of traction from across the world: Android Nankhatai, Android Nutella, Android Nougat, Android Nut Brittle, Android Nerds.