One million Chinese cellphones infected with zombie virus

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Viruses havebeen making the rounds on cellphones for quite a while now, but it looks like China has now been hit by a particularly troublesome one. According to Shanghai Daily, a so-called zombie virus disguised as an anti-virus app has infected more than one million cellphone users in the country, and it’s left users’ phones vulnerable to the malicious hackers that created the virus. They’ve naturally taken advantage of that access to not only spread the virus further, but cash in by spamming the phones with money-making links and other general annoyances — all of which has also added up to about $300,000 a day in added text message charges for the users affected. What’s more, while authorities have apparently tracked down the company that created the anti-virus application, it apparently insists that it had nothing to do with the virus, and that it’s actually a victim of it as well.

New 80′s Style iPhone Case

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

New iPhone Case From The 80′s

Looking to transform your iPhone in to a throwback? Here is an article I found on GeekTech at PCWorld.com – It is a good idea and sort of a neat case for those that like to be different and standout from the crowd.

Full Article:

If nostalgia brings a smile to your face–and makes you kind of wish you still had a brick phone from the 1980s (but one with modern guts)–check out this 80s Cell Phone Case from Urban Outfitters.

The black plastic case is a chunky 2.5 inches deep by 7.5 inches high, so it’ll definitely protect your iPhone–and give you that hard-to-hold-with-one-hand feel again. Your phone just slides in, and the case gives you full access to the touch screen and home button. The $20 case is compatible with the iPhone 3, 3GS and 4 models.

Of course, you won’t be able to stick it into your pocket (or purse) any longer. Plus, you can get at the screen and home button, there’s no mention of how you would be able to access the headphone jack, volume controls, or dock connector port without removing your phone from the case.

What do you think of this new case? Would you get one or are you going to get one? Do you have one yet? Leave a comment and let us know!

What is a QR Code?

Posted on August 22, 2011 by admin

Quick Response Codes

They come to us from Japan where they are very common. QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to your cell phone. You may soon see QR Codes in a magazine advert, on a billboard, a web page or even on someone’s t-shirt. Once it is in your cell phone, it may give you details about that business (allowing users to search for nearby locations), or details about the person wearing the t-shirt, show you a URL which you can click to see a trailer for a movie, or it may give you a coupon which you can use in a local outlet.

Here is a Sample QR code that you can scan with your SmartPhone that will direct you to our website. Feel free to make stickers of the image and stick them all over the world for us

Sample QR Code For PhoneVirus.org:

The reason why they are more useful than a standard barcode is that they can store (and digitally present) much more data, including url links, geo coordinates, and text. The other key feature of QR Codes is that instead of requiring a chunky hand-held scanner to scan them, many modern cell phones can scan them. The full Wikipedia description is here.

5 Mobile Phone Security Tips

Posted on August 22, 2011 by admin

The cell phones of politicians, celebrities and business professionals have been hacked or compromised, so how can you protect your cell phone data, and contacts?

Smart phones like Android are easier to hack than computers, and that weakness has been exploited by reporters and techs across the globe in recent months.

Here are a few tips on how to protect your mobile phone:

Use a password. Various phones allow for a single finger swipe to unlock them and those phones are at risk. Call your own phone, if it goes straight to voicemail without needing a password, a hacker only needs to pretend to call from your phone to access the same information. Check voicemail instructions to turn password skipping off. The same goes for any apps that require passwords especially when they contain personal information. Entering a password puts another barrier between hackers and your personal information.
Password Part II: Don’t make it easy. Avoid passwords with numbers as they appear on a keyboard like 1234 or 4444. An easy approach to take is to repeat one of the numbers. If the phone is stolen, there will be tap prints on only three buttons leaving the hacker to try and guess the non-existent fourth number. For added security, change the password every few months.
Keep Updated. When occurrences of iPhone tracking and malware on the Android market surfaced, both companies released patches on operating system updates to fix the problem. “I don’t think that any OS vendor would claim to have fixed every flaw upon release” said Scott Frees, assistant professor of computer science at Ramapo College. “The companies and other security firms are constantly trying to find flaws.”
Be Aware of your surroundings. When surfing, be sure you are on a secure website, which means it starts with h-t-t-p-s. This means the data that’s being sent from your computer to the servers that host the data is encrypted, it makes it far, far less likely to be viewed by someone else. Also take notice of the wi-fi network you use. Unsecure networks mean others can see what you are doing on your phone.
Common Sense. Don’t download an app from sites other than your service provider’s website. The android marketplace has had some Trojan horse attacks which sent location and user information to hackers. Also, monitor your phone usage whether online or on paper statements in case anything suspicious occurs.

Kids and Cell Phone Radiation

Posted on August 22, 2011 by admin

Is Cell phone radiation a threat to children? Grassroots Environmental Education is warning parents about how cell phones can be dangerous to kids health. Here is a snippet of the article below:

A New York non-profit group is urging parents to teach their children five simple rules to limit their exposure to cellphone radiation.

“With a new school year upon us, the list of back-to-school supplies may include a new cellphone, typically one that has more power and can perform more functions,” Patti Wood, executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education, says in a statement.

Android Trojan Virus Warning

Posted on August 17, 2011 by admin

Attention all Android users, a new Android Trojan has been found that can record your phone conversations and we would love to know if this has happened to you yet.

Dinesh Venkatesan, CA security’s researcher reports that the new malware will run on Android devices after they have installed it without knowing about it, once it is on your device it will record phone conversations and mimics a standard installation screen for legitimate applications.

If Android users click on the “install,” a configuration file will be to the mobile phone with some sort of key information about the remote server and the parameters,” suggesting that the phone calls can be accessed over the Web by the malware’s creator according to

Once the Trojan is on your device the malware will come into play and record conversations onto the device’s installed SD card in a directory called “shangzhou / callrecord.” CA Technologies reports that the malware saves the conversation as an ARM file.

Because Android is becoming ever so popular it will always encounter more Trojan infections that any other operating system, malware is being found quite often lately such as the DroidDream Trojan.

What is Smishing? Are you at risk?

Posted on August 16, 2011 by admin

Smishing is a form of criminal activity using social engineering techniques similar to phishing. The name is derived from “SMs phISHING”. SMS (Short Message Service) is the technology used for text messages on cell phones.

Similar to phishing, smishing uses cell phone text messages to deliver the “bait” to get you to divulge your personal information. The “hook” (the method used to actually “capture” your information) in the text message may be a web site URL, however it has become more common to see a phone number that connects to automated voice response system.

The smishing message usually contains something that wants your “immediate attention”, some examples include “We’re confirming you’ve signed up for our dating service. You will be charged $2/day unless you cancel your order on this URL: www.?????.com.”; “(Name of popular online bank) is confirming that you have purchase a $1500 computer from (name of popular computer company). Visit www.?????.com if you did not make this online purchase”; and “(Name of a financial institution): Your account has been suspended. Call ###.###.#### immediately to reactivate”. The “hook” will be a legitimate looking web site that asks you to “confirm” (enter) your personal financial information, such as your credit/debit card number, CVV code (on the back of your credit card), your ATM card PIN, SSN, email address, and other personal information. If the “hook” is a phone number, it normally directs to a legitimate sounding automated voice response system, similar to the voice response systems used by many financial institutions, which will ask for the same personal information.

This is an example of a (complete) smishing message in current circulation: “Notice – this is an automated message from (a local credit union), your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 866-###-####.”

In many cases, the smishing message will show that it came from “5000″ instead of displaying an actual phone number. This usually indicates the SMS message was sent via email to the cell phone, and not sent from another cell phone.

This information is then used to create duplicate credit/debit/ATM cards. There are documented cases where information entered on a fraudulent web site (used in a phishing, smishing, or vishing attack) was used to create a credit or debit card that was used halfway around the world, within 30 minutes

Norton Mobile Security Might Protect Your Android

Posted on August 15, 2011 by admin

Anti-virus giant Symantec has thrown its hat in the ring to keep Android’s millions of smartphone owners safe and secure.

Symantec has released Norton Mobile Security Lite, a free Android app that automatically scans downloaded apps and app updates for potential threats, detects and blocks phishing websites or other compromised sites, and “eliminates mobile threats before they can infect your phone,” according to its description in the Android app market. Norton Mobile Security Lite is currently available for download in the Android Market.

NetQin – Anti-Virus Company Installs Cellphone Malware

Posted on August 15, 2011 by admin

Here is an interesting article I found on TechCrunch (Props)

A Chinese company, NetQin, allegedly secretly installed malware whenever users installed a copy of their special “cellular malware detector” and then charged a 30 cent update fee to remove the virus. The software also deleted other anti-virus solutions on Android phones.

NetQin has denied the accusation and chalks up the nasty talk to an upset competitor.
All major Chinese carriers have blocked NetQin from selling their app on their app stores and they can no longer charge users ransom. The company recently filed for an IPO on the NYSE.

UPDATE – Here is NetQin’s response:

NetQin Mobile Inc. has strong ethical standards and abides by all applicable industry rules and regulations. The allegations waged against us are entirely false.

NetQin stands behind the quality of all its products and we are diligent in our work to ensure that all NetQin mobile apps are safe and secure. In fact, we welcome any independent 3rd party to evaluate and audit our products, as we are confident they will be found to be safe, secure and of high quality.

Avoid Cell Phone Viruses

Posted on August 15, 2011 by admin

Here are the top 4 cell phone virus prevention tips:

• Switch off Bluetooth Detection Function
• Never put in a unfamiliar memory card
• Become cautious when connecting/joining to PC’s/Macs/Networks
• Be mindful with the applications you obtain.

Have a tip to share with our readers? Post your tips as a comment!

Phone Virus News

Cell Phone Safety

One million Chinese cellphones infected with zombie virus

New 80′s Style iPhone Case

New iPhone Case From The 80′s

If nostalgia brings a smile to your face–and makes you kind of wish you still had a brick phone from the 1980s (but one with modern guts)–check out this 80s Cell Phone Case from Urban Outfitters.

What is a QR Code?

Quick Response Codes

5 Mobile Phone Security Tips

Kids and Cell Phone Radiation

Android Trojan Virus Warning

What is Smishing? Are you at risk?

Norton Mobile Security Might Protect Your Android

NetQin – Anti-Virus Company Installs Cellphone Malware

Avoid Cell Phone Viruses