If you are running a device with Android 4.3 or earlier you should avoid third-party app stores; arguably all users should but there are times when Google Play does not offer what you need. A security problem with the way that APK files are authenticated during install can allow a seemingly harmless app to be modified, either at the source or while being transmitted, leading to the installation of an app that may not be entirely honest about what it does. Palo Alto Network's testing shows versions 4.4+ do not suffer from this particular problem nor do the vetted apps at the Google Play store. It is unlikely you will encounter this problem unless you usually install things from places like Creepy Ice Cream Van Discount Apps and Malware, but you should be aware of the existence of this issue. More at The Inquirer.
"A FRESH VULNERABILITY CALLED Android Installer Hijacking is making itself known as a threat to almost half of all Android users."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- The New Place Where Linux & Other Open-Source Code Is Constantly Being Benchmarked @ Phoronix
- Adobe Flash fix FAIL exposes world's most popular sites @ The Register
- No, It's Not Always Quicker To Do Things In Memory @ Slashdot
- Australian Company Creates Even Faster 3D Printer @ Slashdot
- First figures in and it doesn't look good for new internet dot-words @ The Register
So if you download programs
So if you download programs from dodgy websites/’app stores’/services/etc, you might get a virus? Who’d have thought!
You would be very
You would be very disappointed by how many don't think.
I rooted my Lenovo K1 tablet
I rooted my Lenovo K1 tablet with Jellybean (used to have Honeycomb on it), and wow, I haven’t gotten virus’s! Why? Because I am not stupid enough to download apps outside of the Google Play Store! Damn!!!!
Not installing third party
Not installing third party apps pretty much defeats the purpose of rooting your device. 😉
Can also be in google
Can also be in google play!how?say you are an Asian browser and had a version in Asia that was a bit ….nosy to put it mildly,you could offer the google accepted version and once installed and the browser maker checked to see if it was google,offer a better (but highly nosy version)how nosy?oh give us all your info and we let you browse.ya !very nosy.don’t believe me?try :UC browser .but I am positive they aren’t the only one.bottom line?refuse anything not in google play,if it isn’t in google play ,its for a reason
Thanks for the heads up. I
Thanks for the heads up. I can rest a little easier since Samsung pushed out a 4.4.2 update to my Note II last year.
I root my Android phones, because I need apps like Adaway, Wanan Xposed, Xposed Installer and it’s modules that give you custom rom features without installing a custom rom. I couldn’t own an Android phone without them.