Android security flaw uncovered |
The security of devices used in the office should be a top priority for business owners and managers. It is easy to think that a fully functioning device like a mobile phone is secure, and most of the time it is. The thing to be aware of however, is that there are always hackers looking for security flaws in these products. The latest flaw highlighted happens to be on the Android system. In early July, mobile security company Bluebox announced that they had discovered a large security flaw in the Android system. The threat centers around a trojan application that can gain access to application data including email addresses, SMS messages, etc, and can get service and account passwords. In other words, it can take over your whole phone. The way this so-called trojan infects mobile devices is through an app. Hackers have figured out how to tinker with the application’s code, and implement the malware without changing the cryptographic features that are used by Google Play and other online stores to validate and identify apps. What this means is that the changed app looks legitimate to Google, developers, our phones and us, but it really has malicious code embedded in it, code that could give a hacker full access to your phone. The good news about this is that it can be easily fixed with an update. The bad news about this is that it is up to device manufacturers to actually release the fix. This is because most Android device manufacturers basically own their own version of Android and need to push the update to owners – Google can’t do this. Beyond that, it is up to the device owner to actually update their phone when the fix is released. If this sounds a little worrying, it should be, especially since this affects every device except for the recently released Samsung S4 Touchwiz. There are things you can do however to minimize the chances of your device being infected by this bug.
If you are careful about what apps you install and take steps to ensure that you only install apps from the Play store, your device should be relatively safe. Google has announced that they have patched their cryptographic features on Google Play, so any new apps going onto Play should be safe from this particular exploit. There is a good chance that they will also correct this issue in a future update to the Android OS (likely 4.3), but older devices may be left out of the loop. So, as we have already told you a few times: Don’t install apps from outside of Google Play, and be sure to follow the tips we talked about above. Should you require more information about Android in the workplace, please contact us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
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The key to viral content |
Businesses of all sizes are becoming increasingly invested in social media. One of the reasons for this is because they have seen how content that has gone viral has helped increase the name and value of brands and spread a marketing message. Businesses looking to replicate this usually have no idea about how to go about viral marketing though. However, there are actually tips you can follow to make your content more likely to go viral. |
4 types of virtualization defined |
There are so many useful business tools these days, most of which revolve around tech. Devices like the computer and servers have enabled businesses of all sizes to compete. The problem with technology is that it is expensive to replace, especially for smaller businesses who potentially operate on already narrow margins. There is a way to save money while getting more out of existing technology – through virtualization. |
Email sign-offs - are they important? |
While email is without a doubt one of the most useful communication tools out there, it can be challenging to master. Sure, you probably write many a day, but because emails lack face-to-face communication, it’s easy for these messages to be read the wrong way, literally. One of the most troublesome areas people have is with the sign-off. Have you ever struggled with choosing the right words and deciding which is the most appropriate way to end your message? |
5 reasons BCP fails |
Each year there seems to be an increasingly large number of disasters that affect an ever growing population. It would therefore make sense to take action to prepare your business for disasters, whatever they may be. To prepare, most business owners or managers will adopt a Business Continuity Plan. While this is a good idea, there have been stories of these plans failing – something you probably don’t want. |