The Briefing Room
General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Technology => Topic started by: Kamaji on April 05, 2022, 11:19:56 am
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Google warns this dangerous hidden app lets strangers record you
By Harry Pettit, The Sun
April 4, 2022
A dangerous piece of spyware that eavesdrops on anyone who downloads it has been discovered by researchers.
The dodgy Android app keeps track of your location and records you through your devices’ microphones, according to a report.
It then sends the files to the murky organization behind the technology. Their identity remains a mystery.
They could then use that information to blackmail you – or worse.
Experts from the international cyber group Lab52 identified the malicious app and described it in a blog post last week.
They said that the malware has all the hallmarks of spy tech used by state-sponsored Russian hackers to target Americans and Europeans.
It’s unclear how the app, which is called “Process Manager”, is installed onto victims’ devices.
Previous Russian spyware campaigns have loaded malware onto devices via links sent over text or email.
Process Manager appears as a gear-shaped icon similar to the settings icon used in default versions of Android.
Once downloaded, a warning about app permissions is displayed to the user asking for access to the cameras and more.
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Source: https://nypost.com/2022/04/04/google-warns-this-dangerous-hidden-app-lets-strangers-record-you/
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And no, it's not Google warning us about itself (although perhaps such a warning would be warranted as well).
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So I checked and I have no "Process Manager" app. Does that mean I'd "safe" from this?
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So I checked and I have no "Process Manager" app. Does that mean I'd "safe" from this?
Not sure.
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No Android, no problems. I don't care what all the cool kids are using. I want a phone for calls and texts. I don't need a supercomputer that governments and corporations can use to monitor my activities.
(https://www.att.com/catalog/en/idse/AT&T/AT&T%20Cingular%20Flip%20IV/Black-hero-zoom.png)