Samsung Delays Release of Security Software for Galaxy Phones

NY Times:

In February, Samsung Electronics introduced Knox, a version of Android with security features to make the company’s phones more suitable for businesses, expected for release this spring. But the company has delayed the release of the software until summer, according to two people briefed on the company’s plans.

An insecure OS with delays on the enterprise security software that’s supposed to make it business ready and secure. That’s the wonder of samesung, and Android for that matter.

Google further secures Chrome against malicious extensions, will start malware download prompts next week

The Next Web:

Google on Wednesday announced it has added new measures to protect Chrome users being targeted by malicious extensions.

Nice security feature to add. Of course, it would be better if they checked extensions before putting them on the Chrome Web Store, but this is Google we’re talking about.

Japanese Android developers arrested for infecting 10 million users

The Hacker News:

Japanese police arrested five mobile applications developers for creating and embedding a virus into smartphone applications. According to The Metropolitan Police Department, Intial reports said that about 90,000 smartphones  users were infected with a virus lurking in applications they downloaded, But later they found that developers stole more than 10 million pieces of personal information from users mobile.

Open indeed. Via LoopInsight

Source: loopinsight.com

Inside Android 4.2's powerful new security system

ComputerWorld:

Android 4.2 marks the launch of a powerful new security system built right into the platform. The key component is a real-time app scanning service that instantly checks apps put on your device for any malicious or potentially harmful code.

Nice, now you will have an Anti Virus on your Android device, if you buy a device with Android 4.2, or you get the update. But mostly if you buy a device with Android 4.2, the update might not get there.

Android apps used by millions vulnerable to password, e-mail theft

ArsTechnica:

The researchers identified 41 applications in Google’sPlay Marketthat leaked sensitive data as it traveled between handsets running the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android and webservers for banks and other online services. By connecting the devices to a local area network that used a variety of well-known exploits, some of themavailable online, the scientists were able to defeat the secure sockets layer and transport layer security protocols implemented by the apps. Their research paper didn’t identify the programs, except to say they have been downloaded from 39.5 million and 185 million times, based on Google statistics.

“We could gather bank account information, payment credentials for PayPal, American Express and others,” the researchers, from Germany’s Leibniz University of Hannover and Philipps University of Marburg, wrote. “Furthermore, Facebook, email and cloud storage credentials and messages were leaked, access to IP cameras was gained and control channels for apps and remote servers could be subverted.” Other exposed data included the contents of e-mails and instant messages.

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