Home > Knowledge Centre > Android security

Forward spam and unwanted SMS texts to +91-86000-44733

  • Sanjay Katkar / 13 years
  • 51
  • 2 min read

Quick Heal Mobile Security has been protecting Android and BlackBerry users effectively. However, one of the most persistent threats to mobile devices is the abundance of spam, fraudulent, marketing and other unwanted text messages that people receive. SMS (Short Message Service) messages are the most widespread means of communication for millions of people all over […]

The Rising Threat of SMiShing reaches millions of mobile users

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 12
  • 3 min read

Most of us have had to deal with rampant phishing emails at some point or the other, but the latest social engineering trick targets the device that we carry with us at all times – the mobile phone. SMiShing is an evolutionary form of phishing that uses text messages and SMS services to target people […]

European countries the primary source of premium-rate hoax calls

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 37
  • 2 min read

Last month we posted a blog about the ‘Wangiri’ scam and the fake missed calls that many people received. The scammers made these calls from premium-rate numbers (based overseas) and bombarded people with one-ring missed calls. Some unfortunate victims who called back were charged anything between Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 per minute. We received […]

Fake Quick Heal Mobile Security application found on Russian website

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 3
  • 2 min read

In the past we have highlighted numerous fake antivirus applications that are available through unsolicited third-party sources. Installing such apps can turn out to be highly risky and should be actively avoided by Android users. ‘Sideloading’ is the process of installing Android apps from third-party sources other than the Google Play (Android Market) store. You […]

Android fragmentation leads to security hazards

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 1
  • 4 min read

A new version of Android always brings with it tremendous amount of fanfare and adulation. Some versions gain more popularity than others and penetrate deeper markets. However, ‘fragmentation’ is a major hindrance that Android faces and the latest upgrades seldom reach all markets simultaneously. This creates several security loopholes that can be exploited. A patched […]

Notable Security features of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 11
  • 3 min read

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) was announced on June 27, 2012 at the Google I/O conference. With Jelly Bean, Google aims to revamp Android after the underwhelming Honeycomb (version 3.0) and the moderate success and reach of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Jelly Bean claims to be the most secure Android version yet and this post […]

Security news updates from the last week

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 50
  • 2 min read

Android malware learns a new trick Mobile security software and a cautious nature can help you avoid risky apps over the Android Market (Google Play). But researchers have now discovered a way to convert good apps into malicious ones via an update, after they have been installed on a device. Google’s Bouncer (software to detect […]

Black Hat conference demonstrates Android and Meego NFC vulnerability

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 13 years
  • 4
  • 3 min read

Yesterday I discussed the potential risks of NFC technology and how an attacker could ‘eavesdrop’ on NFC signals. If an attacker steals data by intercepting signals it could be crushing, but what if he could actively send signals and command the NFC enabled phone to do as he pleases? This is exactly what Charlie Miller […]

Android malware creates clones of popular apps and tricks victims

  • Adithya Omanakuttan / 14 years
  • 18
  • 3 min read

Our malware analysis team has discovered a new social engineering trick used by criminals to target Android users. The attack vector guides the victim to a fake application market (or an untrustworthy third-party source). Once there, the victim downloads clones of popular apps that are cleverly disguised. Once such an application gets downloaded, it controls […]