Powerful Spywear Targets Android Devices

Powerful Spywear Targets Android Devices
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Powerful Spywear Targets Android Devices

Powerful Spywear Targets Android Devices

Security researchers discovered a powerful new Android malware masquerading as a critical system update that can take complete control of a victim's device and steal their data. The malware was found bundled in an app that had to be installed outside of Google Play.

Once installed by the user, the app hides and stealthily exfiltrates data from the victim's device to the operator's servers. Researchers at mobile security firm Zimperium, which discovered the malicious app, said once the victim installs the malicious app, the malware communicates with the operator's Firebase server, used to remotely control the device.

The spyware can steal messages, contacts, device details, browser bookmarks and search history, record calls and ambient sound from the microphone, and take photos using the phone's cameras.

The malware also tracks the victim's location, searches for document files and grabs copied data from the device's clipboard.

Zimperium CEO Shridhar Mittal said the malware was likely part of a targeted attack. "It's easily the most sophisticated we've seen. I think a lot of time and effort was spent on creating this app. We believe that there are other apps out there like this, and we are trying our very best to find them as soon as possible", said Mittal.



Apple Names Insider Sabih Khan as COO

The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at The Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at The Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
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Apple Names Insider Sabih Khan as COO

The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at The Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)
The Apple logo is seen on the Apple store at The Marche Saint Germain in Paris, France July 15, 2020. (Reuters)

Apple on Tuesday named insider Sabih Khan as its chief operating officer, taking over from Jeff Williams, as part of a long-planned succession.

Khan, who has been with Apple for 30 years and is currently the senior vice president of operations, will take on the new role later this month, the iPhone maker said in a statement.

Before joining Apple's procurement group in 1995, he worked as an applications development engineer and key account technical leader at GE Plastics.

Williams will continue to report to CEO Tim Cook and oversee the company's design team and Apple Watch.

The design team will report directly to Cook after Williams retires late in the year.