There’s obviously a disconnect when it comes to big tech companies and cybersecurity. Somehow malicious content and viruses of all shapes and sizes squeeze their way through the world wide web and land right in our pockets next to our most private possession – our smartphones.
The most recent intrusion has been through the Google Play Store where over 1000 apps have potentially infected hundreds of millions of users by simply clicking “install.” It was discovered these applications are using hidden loop-holes to bypass permissions in the Android operating system and are stealing data even if you haven’t granted the app permission.
How?
It seems these infected apps are “piggybacking” off other apps that have actually been granted permission to: see your location, access your photos, microphone, and camera. Some are even gathering data from your Wi-Fi connection.
We’ve been infiltrated!
There is no easy way to tell if an app is tracking you (without permission of course) and if the app is purchased by a new company or it has a design flaw, there are chances it could be compromised even after you’ve installed it.
Tips
Feeling hopeless? Here are a few tips to keep your privacy a little more secure before Android rolls out it’s fix : an OS update “Android Q” for Android phones is planned to launch in August, along with the list of 1,325 compromised applications.
If you need assistance with your business cybersecurity needs contact DarkHound SecOps at [email protected]
-Emmy Seigler
Sources:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/7-security-tips-to-keep-people-and-apps-from-stealing-your-data/