Skip to main content

Technology bits: Samsung Galaxy Phones Are Vulnerable To A Remote Wipe Attack


A SECURITY RESEARCHER has exposed vulnerability in some Samsung handsets that leaves them open to a remote wipe attack.


Ravi Borgaonkar showed off the attack at the Ekoparty security conference, reports Slashgear. There he showed how a hacker could direct the user to a webpage where some malicious code could plunge them into a factory reset nightmare.

Borgaonkar's talk, Dirty use of USSD Codes in Cellular Network, showed how the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) protocol, which is commonly used, can be exploited by attackers.

The attack can rely on people following links that suggest a trip to a website where you might see a "sexy co-ed" or equivalent. But as we have seen time and time before, people will fall for this type of thing. QR codes can also send people to attack webpages, according to Borgaonkar, as can NFC tags. Basically, anything that can open a URL can be used, he explained.



He said that attackers can kill a SIM card and wipe the handset in just three minutes, adding that although victims can see what is happening they will be powerless to stop it.


Samsung devices running Touchwiz appear to be affected. We have asked Samsung to comment. In the meantime, and unless you want to be targeted by gits, you might consider turning off automatic page loading in your NFC and QR code reading apps.


Update
Samsung assured that the vulnerability had been fixed already, but did recommend that users install the latest software update.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FINANCE: CREATING MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME (FINANCIALFREEDOM)

Hi, I trust you have being able to put into practice what you read on this blog on creating multiple streams of income. Good, to cap it up i will like to add this one last tip and i bet you, it is a secret weapon to finacial freedom. Investment: Interest from investment is another form of income. Investment in this regard includes; contribution plans, fixed deposit (call account), investment in bonds and treasury bills. Caution should however be taken in negotiating interest rate, maturity date and other terms that may affect your returns. See you at the top!   Make a minimum of $2 by just clicking on the link, absolutely free and easy. http://incomepart.com/ref.php?page=act/ref&invcod=58605   SPEND WISELY !
Post a Comment
Read more

FINANCE: CREATING MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME (FINANCIALFREEDOM)

The Bible recorded that a man’s gifts will bring him before kings and princes. So what is that hobby, activity that you do at your leisure that brings you joy with little or no stress at all? Have you ever imagined or thought that hobby can generate income for you. It is a plain fact Here are some guidelines and tips to create for you multiple streams of income and give you a real shot at that financial freedom that you desire; Have the believe that there is that stream of income attached to your experience, expertise, hobby, etc, Do you cherish reading? If yes, do you know some people are actually looking for people who can devote much time to reading journals, articles, etc summarizing it for them and get paid? In this case you are getting paid for what you love doing. So start from what you know. See you next time......................
Post a Comment
Read more