Tech News

Millions of Android Devices Affected by Chinese Malware

Check Point, an Israel-based cybersecurity firm, reports that an Android malware named HummingBad is affecting millions of devices around the globe. CNET reports that the majority of victims are from India (1.35 million) and China (1.6 million). The US is not immune to HummingBad, with over 288,800 infected devices.

This malware operates by trying to root Android devices. According to Check Point, the group manages to root hundreds of devices everyday. Once rooted, the group can create a botnet and carry out targeted attacks on businesses or government agencies.

What's more worrisome is the fact that the group has close associations with Yingmob, an advertising and analytics agency based in Beijing (China).

According to Check Point, "Yingmob uses HummingBad to control 10 million devices globally and generate $300,000 per month in fraudulent ad revenue. This steady stream of cash, coupled with a focused organizational structure, proves cybercriminals can easily become financially self-sufficient."

Google said in a statement to CNET that they are aware of this family of malware and have been improving their systems to detect it. However, Android is not the only victim; Apple's iOS has also been affected by Yingmob malware.

Apple Fixes AirPort Router Flaw

Apple has released an update that patches a nine-month-old security hole in AirPort routers. The security updates are available for AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule base stations with 802.11n; also updated are AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule base stations with 802.11ac.

Apple is not disclosing much information about the flaw but wrote in a support document that "a memory corruption issue existed in DNS data parsing. This issue was addressed through improved bounds checking." Apple said that the flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code. The flaw was discovered in January by a user named Alexandre Hélie from Montreal, according to Canadian website TVA Nouvelles. Follow the instructions at [http://www.tomsguide.com/us/apple-airport-router-patch,news-22879.html] to update the firmware on your AirPort routers.