Android

* 9 scary personal details Google collects about you

TechViews.org Android, Browsers, Email, Google, Mobile Devices, Online Dangers, Privacy, Tips & Hints

TechViews News   …..

Our readers know that we have been warning about Google’s personal data collection since we went live. Google is, without a doubt, the worst offender of privacy online. However, we all need to wade through Google’s services from time to time, so we tend to ignore that simple truth.

And a huge number of people still use – and like – Gmail either as their main service or a backup. And if you use an Android device, you must have a Gmail account, but that doesn’t mean you need to use it all the time.

A brief glance through our listing of previous articles will show multiple times we’ve tried to help cure people of their Google addiction. Unfortunately, Google’s business model is about spying on us and reselling our personal information to whomever will buy it. And folks … there are a LOT of companies and government agencies that want to know about us.

Continue reading →

Advertisements

*Block Spam calls & SMS on Android with these five apps

TechViews.org Android, Mobile Devices, Online Dangers, Smartphones, Tips & Hints

TechViews News   …..

Spam used to be just about email (and that nasty canned stuff). But now it is following us to our smartphones in the form of spam-texts and robo-calls. You could opt for not responding to those texts, or answering calls from unknown callers, but then you run the risk of missing an important message.

Most of the time, it’s about things that don’t interest you or information or products you’ll never use. Nonetheless, you still have to deal with them, just like regular emails & phone calls.

Getting rid of spam calls/SMS on your Android device is actually as easy as using one of the following apps. These Android apps will help make those annoying calls and texts not show up in your inbox.

Continue reading →

* How to clear out your browsing data from Android browsers

TechViews.org Android, Browsers, Mobile Devices, Tips & Hints

TechViews News   …..

Android mobile devices come with a basic, built in browser. While basic, the stock browser is really quite adept and fast in its use.

You may, if you choose, also install alternate browsers for use. The more popular ones are Firefox, Chrome, Dolphin & Opera (I use Dolphin).

Regardless which browser you use, our readers by now know that browsers collect and store information about your web activity, regardless to whether you are using a desktop or laptop computer, or a mobile device.

There are multiple reasons why deleting cookies, clearing the cache, and removing browsing history can benefit not only your privacy but also your devices and browsing sessions more generally.

Continue reading →

* WhatsApp To Stop Working On These Smartphones

TechViews.org Android, Mobile Devices, Tips & Hints

TechViews News   …..

WhatsApp has announced that it will finalize the ending of its mobile app for earlier model smartphones. The blocking of the app began early this year and should be complete the end of June, 2017.

The following phones are affected:

  • BlackBerry OS
  • BlackBerry 10
  • Nokia S40
  • Nokia Symbian S60
  • Windows Phone 7
  • iPhone 3GS/iOS 6.

Apparently, older model phones hinder the development of the app, so they have decided to stop serving them all together.

But the guys at WhatsApp have this advice to those affected: “If you use one of these mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer Android, iPhone, or Windows Phone before the end of June 2017 to continue using WhatsApp.”

Totally worthless advice.

So if you happen to own one of the phones above you better enjoy the next 29 days of mildly irritating group chats with school friends and ex-colleagues while you still can.

Be Safe – Backup Your Data Regularly!

**********

And don’t forget to take advantage of our FREE subscription to the TechViews.org Newsletter. A must-read if you are interested in Internet Security.

*New Android Malware Infects Over 36.5 Million Phones

TechViews.org Android, Identity Theft, Malware, Mobile Devices, Software Vulnerabilities, Tips & Hints

TechViews News   …..

Security researchers at Check Point Security recently discovered a malware scam in Google’s Play Store. The malware dubbed “Judy” has been hiding behind the scenes on 41 specific apps that have been available in the Play Store for years, so it’s unclear how long they have been infecting devices.

The malicious apps were developed by the Korean company, Kiniwini, listed in the Play Store as ENISTUDIO corp. The impacted apps have been downloaded millions of times and may have been spread to over 36 million users.

Moreover, the researchers also uncovered a few more apps, published by other developers on the Apple Store, inexplicably containing the same the malware in them. The connection between the two campaigns remains unclear, though researchers believe it is possible that one developer borrowed code from the other.

This is how it works — the user downloads an app from the Play Store and at that point, it’s not malicious. But once the user opens the app, it connects to its Command and Control server (C&C) and installs the malicious code.

Continue reading →

*How to set up your Android phone for ultimate privacy

TechViews.org Android, Google, Privacy, Smartphones

TechViews News   …..

It’s not an exaggeration to say that your smartphone is the most personal device you have. The fact it’s always with you, however, sure does generate a lot of information about your habits.

Your location history, Google searches, web browsing habits, app usage, and even recordings of your voice talking to the Google Assistant.

But it’s not paranoia to take stock from time to time of just how much you’re handing over to Google or if you’d rather not place all your digital privacy eggs in the same basket.

If your goal is to maybe do a little de-Googling because you don’t want the company to know every thing about you, the first place to start is the My Activity account center. This is essentially the dashboard for every instance where your activity touches Google servers. The site is quite mobile friendly, so you can attack all these details from your phone or tablet as well as on the desktop.

The amount of information is a little staggering, especially if this is your first time there. For example, touch “Android” and you’ll see a timeline of the interactions from your phone, such as which apps you’ve used on your phone, tablet, or Android TV. Same goes for Chrome, Search, or Play. There’s also a search function, which is surprisingly a little hit and miss at finding your stuff.

Continue reading →

*10 Million People Need to Stop Using This Android App Now

TechViews.org Android, Identity Theft, Internet Security, Mobile Devices, Privacy, Security Threats, Smartphones

TechViews.org   …..

The popular AirDroid file-management app could open your Android device to attack, a security firm says. Until the flaw gets fixed — hopefully, within the next two weeks — you should stop using the app.

Researchers at San Francisco mobile-security company Zimperium have discovered a flaw in AirDroid that allows malicious hackers to overcome encryption and access potentially sensitive information. The flaw can also give hackers the ability to remotely execute code on the respective device.

According to Zimperium, which spoke to ArsTechnica about the flaw, AirDroid uses a static encryption key to safeguard some data transmitted by the app. What’s worse, the researchers say, that encryption key can be easily found within the app’s code by anyone with a even little know-how.

Armed with that knowledge, a hacker can launch a man-in-the-middle attack on devices using AirDroid. From there, the hackers can decrypt the mobile app’s communications and even get full remote control over the smartphone through a malicious software update.

Continue reading →