Android phones can get infected by merely receiving a picture via text message, according to research published Monday.
This is likely the biggest smartphone flaw ever discovered. It affects an estimated 950 million phones worldwide — about 95% of the Androids in use today.
The problem stems from the way Android phones analyze incoming text messages. Even before you open a message, the phone automatically processes incoming media files — including pictures, audio or video. That means a malware-laden file can start infecting the phone as soon as it’s received, according Zimperium, a cybersecurity company that specializes in mobile devices.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because this Android flaw is somewhat like the recent Apple text hack.
This has already been fixed by Google now its up to the OEMs to implement the fix.
Blackberry is still the best for security, but poor decision making as a company killed it.
BlackBerry’s core feature, encrypted email and messaging, was its downfall, according to former National Security Agency general counsel Stewart Baker.
Speaking at Web Summit in Dublin, Ireland, Baker said (among other things) BlackBerry’s demise was in part due to its encryption efforts, which in recent months both Apple and Google have pushed to replicate.
“BlackBerry pioneered the same business model that Google and Apple are doing now. That has not ended well for BlackBerry,” Baker told Guardian editor James Ball at the event.
He justified his claims, saying that countries like Russia, China, and the UAE, which require companies to hand over stored data to authorities to fight terrorism and other serious crimes, gave BlackBerry a cold reception.
“They restricted their own ability to sell,” Baker said.
maybe dats wat happened to mine
And thats why i have never strayed from my Blackberry. Iphone same thing. A simple text msg can shut down the and reset the whole phone. My friends tell me \”why you still have that old blackberry?!, Upgrade!, get with the times!.\” my response: my blackberry can do everything your iphone and android can do. If not, there\’s an app that can be downloaded. either way, my cell phone is just for me to make calls, read email and send messages. Technology has taken over our lives.
Hacking a blackberry is probably easier than an android. The blackberry however will soon be obsolete and you will have to upgrade as the networks will stop supporting them due to low market share.
“A simple text msg can shut down the and reset the whole phone.”
FALSE.
this simple text message simple turns off the phone, and there is a very simple simple way to handle that. That black berry can be hacked by someone with one hand in their pocket
I miss me Iphone
When in
doubt do not be too quick to click.