Category: Gadgets

Mobile security risk to Android devices could impact almost 1 billion

| August 3, 2015

A bug that can infect that operating system can spread itself with nothing more than one text message.

Smartphones that run on the Android operating system are now at risk of an important mobile security flaw that could allow a properly infected text message to take over the device.

It is currently estimated that nearly 1 billion devices around the world are vulnerable to this bug.

According to mobile security experts, this flaw is now considered to be “the word Android vulnerability in the mobile OS history.” Zimperium researchers that focus on this type of issue were among those who initially released details regarding this threat, which has been called “Stagefright.” This threat is dangerous enough that it can infect an Android based smartphone simply through the receipt of an MMS message, regardless of whether or not the device user actually opens it.

Once the text is received, the mobile security bug activates a code which releases full control of the device to an attacker.

Mobile Security - Large Crowd of PeopleThis Android bug gives the attacker control over everything from the camera and microphone to the data on the device, which can then be copied. In their blog releasing information about Stagefright, the Zimperium researchers explained that “These issues in Stagefright code critically expose 95 per cent of Android devices, an estimated 950 million devices.”

While Google has already issued a repair for the security flaw for its Android operating system, many carriers and phone makers haven’t yet released the update to consumers.

The problem, itself, was first spotted back in April by Zimperium’s Joshua Drake. Drake received recognition for this discovery by Google, when the company released a statement saying “We thank Joshua Drake for his contributions. The security of Android users is extremely important to us and so we responded quickly and patches have already been provided to partners that can be applied to any device.”

Google also took care to point out the mobile security steps that are already in place for devices that run on its operating system. It pointed out that the majority of Android based devices, including all of the ones running on the newer versions of the OS, include a number of different technologies that have been “designed to make exploitation more difficult.” Among them is an app sandbox that is meant to help to keep user data and other device apps protected.

Mobile technology linked to cancer and health problems in new study

| July 31, 2015

This scientific research has also connected the devices to skin irritation, headache, and fatigue.

According to the findings of a new study that was published in the Electromagnetic Biology & Medicine journal, the radio frequency radiation that is emitted by wireless and mobile technology is linked to certain kinds of cancers and other health risks.

This study adds a considerable piece of evidence to claims that have long been made about cell phone risks.

Until now, there have been a few studies that have suggested that mobile technology is not linked to cancer, and there have been a few that have indeed linked the two. This has meant that stating that cell phone use can cause cancer was considered to be speculation, until now. This latest research has contributed a significant component to the argument that there are health risks associated with the radiation from mobile tech.

The scientists in the study claimed that mobile technology radiation can cause metabolic imbalances.

Mobile Technology - Cancer StudyThese imbalances to the metabolism that result from proximity and/or use of mobile devices and other wireless gadgets, are what is linked to the development of cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases, skin rashes, headaches, and other issues.

The researchers stated that the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure leads to oxidative stress that can cause more minor irritations such as skin problems, fatigue, headache, and others, or more severe medical problems such as cancers. This was determined to be a risk when the mobile device or devices are used for long periods of time.

The research was conducted by a team at the National University for Food Technologies of Ukraine. Study co-author and researcher, Igor Yakymenko, examined living cells and the impact of low-intensity RFR on cellular metabolism. He explained that “These data are a clear sign of the real risks this kind of radiation poses for human health,” adding that “ROS are often produced in cells due to aggressive environments, and can also be provoked by ordinary wireless radiation.”

The study suggested that mobile technology owners take a more precautionary approach to their device use.