Google partnered with mobile security firms to clear Play Store of malware and malicious apps

In an effort to better protect the Play Store from malware and malicious apps, Google has announced that it has partnered with the cybersecurity firms ESET, Lookout and Zimperium to launch a new project called the App Defense Alliance. According to Google, the goal of the new project is to unify malware and threat detection …

Regulator implored to probe Android apps advertising to preschoolers

Several children’s apps on Google’s app store have been found to inappropriately lure youngsters to watch ads or make purchases, according to a pair of consumer groups that cited a new study in calling for an investigation by federal authorities. “Popular apps for preschoolers are rife with marketing,” Josh Golin, executive director of Campaign for …

Malicious crypto-mining apps with over 100,000 downloads found in the Google Play store

Researchers at Kaspersky Lab have uncovered multiple android based malicious cryptocurrency-mining applications being distributed via the Google Play store, with the miners posing as games, sports streaming apps, and VPNs. Some of these have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. While the applications appear to provide legitimate functions, their real purpose is to secretly use …

Latest Android malware can record voice calls for extortion & blackmailing

IT security researchers have discovered an android malware which aims at stealing personal data from Android devices, recording live calls and surrounding noises in order to blackmail the victim – Dubbed RedDrop by Wandera researchers, the malware was discovered in 53 applications on third-party app stores including calculators, image editors, languages teaching and space exploration apps. All …

Facebook’s Messenger Kids is now on Android, Is this child safe?

Following its iOS launch last December, Facebook’s Messenger Kids app is now available on Android. It’s like Messenger, except it comes with parent-friendly features like the ability to manage your child’s contact list, a registration process that’s independent of the social network, and persistent messages so you can keep an eye on conversations. There’s also …