A security researcher at Google shared a finding that preinstalled apps that contained dangerous malware were found on Android phones, according to Forbes. The risks were found to be installed on Android’s Open-Source Project (AOSP) which is a lower-cost alternative to assist in keeping costs down. The installation on the AOSP also revealed that Android-badged devices like Samsung and Google were safe from the found risk.
“If malware or security issues come as preinstalled apps, then the damage it can do is greater,” said Maddie Stone, a security researcher with Google’s Project Zero. “Due to this finding, we need so much reviewing, auditing and analysis,” she continued. New Android phones can have as many as 400 apps preinstalled by the factory that many purchasers of the phone may tend to ignore. Although Google’s team did not share the details of the exact brands that were impacted by the find, they did share that more than 200 device manufacturers were found guilty of having malware that could be attacked remotely.
4 Comments
Phil in TX
“as many as 400 apps preinstalled”. I wonder how long it would take for a “normal” person to delete that many apps from an Android phone, just so they could be sure it would work without allowing someone to remotely steal all their personal info, and then drain their bank account, clone their credit cards, etc. Absolutely unbelieveable that a company would allow unvetted software to be pre-installed on their product. Anyone affected by any of these apps should sue the crap out of the manufacturer and the service provider as well.
Phil in TX
D
I know that on my phone Google won’t allow me to Block Unwanted messages and Phone Numbers that are Constantly calling me every day sometimes 5 times a day too. So Why want they allow the owner of the Phone And its Provider too stop this , which Should be illegal due too I Purchased the Phone From my Carrier, AT&T, and a Galaxy Phone, Just due too it has the App Factory Installed! Google Search App shouldn’t have ANY Control over Blocking Unwanted Calls, now if Google can help me out with there stoppage of this I would like for Google too send out the instructions on their Search Engine Site!!
If not ask before you buy about Blocking these unwanted Calls that Effects your Privacy Act..
Maxx
I am under the impression that “Android” IS Google’s operating system used by more than half of all cell devices. That is specifically why I chose a non-Android phone. Google is far too intrusive and untrustworthy to be allowed on any device I use, including my home computer. My previous ISP changed to Google as it’s search engine and I therefore got rid of AT&T. I want nothing to do with Google and FaceBook.
Maxx
For the article to include the statement “The installation on the AOSP also revealed that Android-badged devices like Samsung and Google were safe from the found risk” is a complete lie. If the bad stuff is part of the Android operating system and Google owns Android it cannot be safe. Beware of false and misleading statements from Google..