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Showing posts with label Android Phone. Show all posts
Web browser
Android Phone Cyber Security fast removal junk files Safety SEO-friendly Web browser

Here's How to Remove Unnecessary Files from Your Android Phone's Web Browser

 

The web browser on your Android phone collects a significant amount of data from the websites you visit, much of which is unnecessary to keep on your device. Regardless of whether you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Samsung Internet, this data, stored in cookies and cache, serves various purposes, such as enabling faster website loading and maintaining login sessions. However, a considerable portion of this data is superfluous and poses privacy risks.

Frequent clearing of your browser's cookies and cache is advisable due to the accumulation of unnecessary data, including transient junk and active tracking mechanisms from websites. These trackers often contribute to targeted advertising, where your browsing history influences the ads you encounter. For instance, after browsing online stores, you might notice advertisements tailored to your recent activities, like offers for eyeglasses or reminders of items in your shopping cart on Amazon.

Regularly clearing your cache helps eliminate unwanted data from your phone, especially if there are unidentified data trackers among your browser's cookies. Though clearing your cache may require you to log back into some websites, it's a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits of maintaining your phone's cleanliness and privacy.

The process for clearing cookies and cache varies depending on your phone's model and the web browser app you use. For Google Chrome, Samsung Internet, and Mozilla Firefox on Android devices, specific steps can be followed to clear this data effectively.

In Google Chrome, access the option to clear browsing data through the More menu or the Settings menu. For Samsung Internet, you can clear browsing data within the app or through your phone's Settings app, with options to delete various types of data, including cache and cookies. Mozilla Firefox offers extensive options for clearing browsing data, allowing users to delete specific types of data such as open tabs, browsing history, site permissions, and downloads, in addition to cookies and cached images and files. Additionally, Firefox provides an option to automatically delete browsing data upon quitting the app, enhancing privacy.

Both Chrome and Firefox offer basic and advanced settings for clearing browsing data, including options to specify the time range for deletion and to delete saved passwords and autofill form data. Chrome may prompt users regarding the importance of certain websites before clearing data, providing an opportunity to confirm the action.

Regularly clearing cookies and cache in your Android web browser is essential for maintaining privacy and optimizing device performance.
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smartphone privacy
Android Phone Cyber Security Data protection data security Encryption factory reset Mobile Online Privacy secure wipe selling smartphone privacy

Maximizing Data Security: Why Simply Factory Resetting Your Android Phone Won't Suffice Before Selling

 

 
In today's tech landscape, concerns about smartphone data privacy are increasingly prevalent. While many may not possess highly sensitive information, the thought of unauthorized access to personal data remains unsettling. Despite following common safety practices online, uncertainties persist regarding the vulnerability of smartphones, particularly when selling or upgrading them.

The notion of a factory reset providing comprehensive security for Android devices is a widely accepted belief. However, questions linger about the resilience of this measure against determined hackers or even governmental entities. This isn't merely a product of paranoia but stems from a prudent approach to safeguarding personal information, a sentiment ingrained from a background in security-conscious behaviors.

The general understanding is that a factory reset renders data unrecoverable on Android devices. Yet, the reality isn't absolute. Although prevalent security measures like encryption and complex passcodes offer substantial protection, they aren't impervious to breaches. Encryption, akin to a sturdy barrier around one's home, serves as a deterrent, but persistent and resourceful attempts can circumvent it.

Modern Android phones employ file-based encryption, enhancing security by individually encrypting files using distinct keys. This method, coupled with device-specific keys and user credentials, offers robust protection. However, historical instances have shown vulnerabilities in this system, showcasing potential breaches through sophisticated means like extracting keys from a device's RAM or hacking secure enclave chips.

Recovering data post a factory reset is theoretically possible but incredibly challenging, dissuading the average user from being an easy target. Following a reset, while data recovery is possible, the encrypted nature of the files renders them unreadable, owing to the robust AES-256 encryption standard employed by Android.

Nevertheless, specialized tools such as Cellebrite, marketed to security agencies, possess additional exploits to breach phone security and extract information, including decrypting third-party data and accessing complete file systems. While this might not concern the majority, it underscores the importance of ensuring data security beyond factory resets.

Additional steps, such as using apps to securely wipe phone storage by overwriting it with nonsensical binary data, can further fortify data protection. Although a factory reset is a potent measure for the average user, employing secure wipe programs adds an extra layer of security, reassuring individuals concerned about potential data breaches.

While a factory reset does offer substantial protection for most, opting for an extra layer of security, such as employing secure wipe programs, can offer peace of mind in safeguarding personal data, especially when selling or upgrading an Android device.
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virus
Advanced Encryption Standard Android Phone CERT-In Cyber Attacks CyberCrime Cybersecurity Daam Government Hacked SMS URL virus

Android Phone Hacked by 'Daam' Virus, Government Warns

 


It has been announced by the central government that 'Daam' malware is infecting Android devices, and the government has issued an advisory regarding the same. CERT-IN, the national cyber security agency of the Indian government, released an advisory informing the public about the possibility of hackers hacking your calls, contacts, history, and camera due to this virus.

The virus' ability to bypass anti-virus programs and deploy ransomware on targeted devices makes it very dangerous, according to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In, which provided the information. 

As quoted by the PTI news agency, the Android botnet is distributed primarily through third-party websites or apps downloaded from untrusted or unknown sources, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The malware is coded to operate on the victim's device using an encryption algorithm known as AES (advanced encryption standard). The advisory reports that the other files are then removed from local storage, leaving only the files that have the extension of ".enc" and a readme file, "readme_now.txt", that contain the ransom note. 

To prevent attacks by such viruses and malware, the central agency has suggested several do's and don'ts. 

The CERT-IN recommends that you avoid browsing "untrusted websites" or clicking "untrusted links" when they do not seem trustworthy. It is advisable to exercise caution when clicking on links contained within unsolicited emails and SMS messages, the organization stated. Specifically, the report recommends updating your anti-virus and anti-spyware software regularly and keeping it up to date.

Once the malware has been installed, it tries to bypass the device's security system. In the case it succeeds in stealing sensitive data, as well as permissions to read history and bookmarks, kill background processing, and read call logs, it will attempt to steal sensitive information of the user. 

"Daam" is also capable of hacking phone calls, contacts, images, and videos on the camera, changing passwords on the device, taking screenshots, stealing text messages, downloading and uploading files, etc. 

In the Sender Information field of a genuine SMS message received from a bank, the Sender ID (abbreviation of the bank) is typically mentioned instead of the phone number, according to the report. 

A cautionary note was provided to users warning them to be aware of shortcut URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) such as the websites 'bitly' and 'tinyurl', which are both URLs pointing to web addresses such as "http://bit.ly/" "nbit.ly" and "tinyurl.com" "/". 

To see the full domain of the website the user is visiting, it is recommended that they hover over the shortened URL displayed. As suggested in the consultation, they may also be able to use a URL checker that allows them to enter both a shortened URL and the complete URL when completing the check. 

This is being viewed as a serious warning by the government to Android phone users throughout the world to remain vigilant and to take all necessary precautions to protect their mobile devices.

The Central Government strives to educate citizens about "Daam" malware, as well as its potential impacts, so citizens can take proactive measures to protect their Android devices and stay safe from cyber threats in the ever-evolving environment we live in today.
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Playstore
Android Android Phone Android Users Fake Apps Mobile Security Playstore

Alert: Android Users Should Delete These 151 Apps Immediately

 

A total of 151 scam applications have been identified and deleted from the Google Play Store, but Android users should double-check that none of them is installed.

Avast, a cybersecurity software company, has detected a massive premium SMS fraud running on the official Google Play Store, according to BGR. It's been termed the UltimaSMS campaign by Avast (because the first scam software uncovered during the investigation was Ultima Keyboard 3D Pro), and it's made up of 151 fraudulent applications that have been downloaded over 10.5 million times in over 80 countries. 

Custom keyboards, QR code scanners, video and photo editors, spam call blockers, camera filters, and games are just some of the applications that are disguised as legitimate tools. However, they all have the same goal in mind: to sign users up for premium SMS services. 

Every app follows the same methodology: The area code and language to use are determined by checking the phone's location, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), and phone number once it has been installed. Prompts then ask for the user's phone number and, in some instances, their email address. 

This information is then utilised to sign them up for premium SMS services without the user's knowledge. The charges are typical $40 or more each month, and users may not be aware of them for weeks or months. Once an UltimaSMS app has reached its objective, it often stops running or advertises more subscription choices instead of the promised features. The concern is that premium subscriptions will continue to deduct money from users' accounts even if they remove the app. 

Avast compiled a list of all 151 applications involved in the fraud and every Android user should examine it. If anyone has any of these applications installed (or have had them installed in the past), uninstall them immediately. 

However, if anyone notices any unexpected charges, examine the statements and contact the carrier. If users wish to avoid this sort of fraud in the future, then should ask their carrier to disable premium SMS options on the account.
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