Tag: mobile security
166 articles
Apple Warns Users of Mercenary Spyware Attacks on iPhones
Got a warning from Apple about a mercenary spyware attack on your iPhone? This means hackers are trying to secretly access your device, and Apple is stepping in to alert and protect you.
WhatsApp Deploys On-Device AI to Flag Potential Scam Messages
Meet Scam Alert, WhatsApp's new on-device AI feature that helps you spot potential scam messages - and take action to protect yourself. This optional feature flags suspicious messages from unknown senders, giving you the power to block, report, or ignore them.
Malware Combo Targets Android Users With Loans, Credit Card Theft
In just 13 minutes, a sophisticated scam combining malware and social engineering tricked Android users into handing over their accounts and credit card info, with the thieves monetizing stolen cards in real time. The attack started with a convincing phone call from someone posing as a bank employee, leading victims to unwittingly download a remote administration tool masquerading as a legitimate app.
Google Chrome Clamps Down on 7 Billion Daily Android Notification Scams
Google Chrome just dealt a major blow to scammers, blocking over 7 billion unwanted Android notifications daily in the first quarter of 2026. This massive reduction was made possible by Chrome's enhanced anti-abuse systems and notification controls.
Malicious SIMs Exploit Cellular IoT Devices via Hidden Modem Interface
Researchers uncovered a shocking vulnerability in cellular IoT devices, finding that malicious SIMs can exploit hidden modem interfaces to run code on the device, thanks to a little-known proactive capability defined in cellular communication specs. Nine out of 26 tested devices, including some popular phones, were susceptible to this type of attack.
Mobile Malware Attacks Decline, Banking Trojans Persist
Mobile malware attacks may be on the decline, but don't let your guard down - over 1.99 million mobile devices were still threatened by malware, adware, or unwanted software in the second quarter alone. Banking Trojans, in particular, remain a persistent threat, with over 93,000 malicious packages detected.
BTMOB Malware Ecosystem Fractures as Resellers Exploit Source Code
The BTMOB malware ecosystem has shattered into a patchwork of fragmented offerings, morphing from a single, centrally operated service to a chaotic mix of official releases, private servers, and reseller panels. This dramatic shift comes after the source code was exploited, sending the once-coordinated operation into a tailspin.
Malware Evolves with AI-Driven Tactics
Malware is getting a scary upgrade: attackers are harnessing AI-driven tactics to create a surge in suspicious and malicious activity, with tens of thousands of dubious AI "skills" already detected. This emerging threat landscape is multiplying opportunities for hackers to exploit, making it a critical concern for anyone online.
US Prosecutes Man for Using Phone Wipe Feature at Border
A man is facing prosecution for using his phone's wipe feature at the border, specifically with GrapheneOS, a custom Android operating system that prioritizes security. He provided border officials with a code that deliberately erased his phone's contents, sparking a criminal charge.
Flying Eagle Android RAT Source Code Circulates, 170 Servers Compromised
Researchers have uncovered a massive operation linked to the Flying Eagle Android RAT, with 170 internet servers compromised, allowing hackers to capture sensitive info, record screens, and even impersonate legitimate apps. This powerful toolkit can be used to create customized malware that steals payment passwords, keystrokes, and more.
Invisible Screen Text Exposes Android AI Agents to Code Injection Attacks
Researchers found that a simple payload could launch a code injection attack on four open-source Android agent frameworks, successfully executing commands on the host's system in every trial. This alarming vulnerability allows attackers to exploit AI agents by manipulating text on the screen, turning a harmless string into a malicious command.
EU Orders Google to Open Android to Rival AI Assistants
Google is now required to open up Android to rival AI assistants, a move the company claims could compromise device security by giving external apps sensitive permissions. The European Commission's order, made under the Digital Markets Act, forces Google to grant third-party AI assistants access to Android sensors and system features.
Google scrambles to fix Android bug that lets Gemini bypass lock screen security
Google is racing to squash a newly discovered Android bug that allows sneaky users to bypass lock screen security and send SMS or WhatsApp messages using Gemini, all without entering the device PIN. A fix has already been implemented and is set to roll out this week.
RedHook Android Malware Exploits Wireless ADB for Shell Access
Meet RedHook, a sneaky Android malware that's taking advantage of Wireless ADB and Accessibility features to gain shell-level control over your device - and it can be controlled remotely with 53 server-issued commands. This clever malware tricks victims into granting permissions, then takes control, making it a serious threat to your digital security.
Free Android VPN Apps Expose User Traffic, Fail Basic Security Tests
Over 2.4 billion installs of free Android VPN apps have potentially exposed users to security risks, according to a recent study that revealed these apps fail basic security tests. A new testing framework called MVPNalyzer was used to evaluate the apps and uncovered alarming vulnerabilities, including the serious flaw of tunnel hijacking.
RedWing Malware Targets Android Users with Bank Fraud as a Service
A new, ready-to-use bank-fraud tool called RedWing is being rented on Telegram, allowing even novice criminals to hijack Android users' phones and steal their banking information. This malicious kit is sold as a complete package, complete with step-by-step guides and how-to videos, making it alarmingly easy for scammers to get started.
iOS AI Apps Expose API Keys, Open AI Proxy Access
Nearly two-thirds of AI chatbot apps for iPhone, that's 282 out of 444 tested, are leaking sensitive API keys, leaving users' data vulnerable to exposure through open AI proxy access. This alarming discovery highlights a critical security gap in many popular iOS AI apps.
AirDrop and Quick Share Flaws Expose Devices to Local Attacks
Millions of devices are vulnerable to local attacks due to flaws in popular sharing services like AirDrop and Samsung Quick Share, discovered by researchers Arash Ale Ebrahim and Nils Ole Tippenhauer. They found six distinct flaws that can be exploited by nearby attackers to crash services or bypass security checks.
US Secret Service Exposes Agents to Cyber Risk with Lax Mobile Security
The US Secret Service is putting its agents at risk of cyber attacks by allowing them to use personal phones for work, with over 15,000 instances of unsecured calls made during critical operations. This lax mobile security leaves them vulnerable to hackers, despite having access to supposedly secure government-issued devices.
Scammers Exploit Shop App to Fuel Callback Phishing Attacks
Beware of scammers exploiting the popular Shop app, with 50 million downloads, to trick you into callback phishing attacks with fake purchase receipts and phony support agents. They're impersonating big brands like Norton and Apple to steal your account credentials and sensitive info.
Google Tightens Android App Verification Rules Ahead of Sept. 30 Deadline
Get ready for a safer app experience on Android! As of September 30, 2026, Google will start enforcing developer verification, blocking installs of unverified apps on certified phones in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Unpatchable Apple BootROM Flaw Targets A12, A13 Chips
A newly discovered Apple BootROM flaw affecting A12 and A13 chips poses a lifelong security risk to affected devices, as the issue is embedded in unchangeable code that can't be fixed with a simple software update. This vulnerability, known as usbliter8, is a complex combination of hardware and firmware flaws that creates a pathway to compromise the boot chain on impacted Apple systems.
BootROM Exploit Targets Millions of iPhones
Millions of iPhones are vulnerable to a newly discovered BootROM exploit, known as "usbliter8", that can't be fixed with software updates because it's embedded in the device's hardware. This means iPhones with A12 and A13 processors will be at risk for the rest of their lifespan.
Rokarolla Malware Targets 217 Banking and Crypto Apps
Beware: the Rokarolla malware is targeting 217 banking and crypto apps, allowing hackers to seize near-total control of your Android phone. It disguises itself as legitimate apps, often sneaking in through malicious websites offering fake Chrome or TikTok downloads.