Dropbox says Android security flaw fixed

Dropbox, the popular online file storing system and conveyed the message that it fixed a security flaw that could have allowed hackers to capture data stored in its service on Android devices via compromised third-party apps.

Dropbox, which has more than 300 million users, said it fixed the vulnerability a few months ago in the software it provides to third parties making apps that work with Dropbox.

It said most Android developers had already updated to the latest version of its software after being notified by Dropbox of the problem as early as December. Dropbox reminded any remaining developers working with the old version to update.

According to Dropbox, the software flaw meant that under certain circumstances a hacker could use a compromised third-party app to save another user’s data to the hacker’s Dropbox account. Dropbox said no data already stored on its service was ever vulnerable.

“There are no reports or evidence to indicate the vulnerability was ever used to access user data,” Dropbox said in a blog on its website.

Researchers at International Business Machines Corp initially discovered the flaw, and informed Dropbox, according to both companies.

Credits: channelnewsasia

Google Play Music Increases Cloud Storage Limit To 50,000 Songs

Google has bumped the storage limit for its locker service for Google Play Music from 20,000 to 50,000 songs, giving users more than double the capacity to store their own collection in the cloud, over and above the extensive streaming library that makes up Google Play Music’s own category. The extended library allowance is a free upgrade for users, meaning people get the additional capacity without having to sign up for more Drive storage or anything like that.

The bump in available space is easy to take advantage of, and applies automatically if you’re already hosting your collection in Google’s cloud. If you haven’t yet used Google Play Music’s locker service, however, it’s pretty easy to get started, using the instructions provided by Google below:

1. Sign in to Google Play Music with your Google account – Go to your computer and visit play.google.com/music. Sign up if needed.
2. Claim your free storage – If you’d like to try the Google Play music subscription service too, click “Get Started”. Otherwise, click “No Thanks” to continue with the free storage.
3. Add your music collection – The setup process will guide you through adding the Chrome app*, which provides seamless uploading. You can choose to simply upload your entire iTunes library or select other music folders. You can upload 50,000 songs for free.
4. Access your music at any time on multiple devices – You can stream or download music to your Android, iPhone, or iPad for easy offline listening. It’s also all available on the web when you’re on your computer. And when you upgrade to a new computer or the latest mobile device, your music comes along too. You’ll never be without your favorite artists again!

*Not using Chrome? The setup process at step 3 will instead guide you through installing Music Manager where you can still add 50,000 songs.

You can listen to them from all supported devices, that is.And even download them to your Android or iOS device for offline listening.

Content Credits: Techcrunch and gsmarena

Modified Android banking apps are infected by Trojan

The deadly virus, also called ‘Badaccents’, is a premium service banking Trojan that arrives bundled with legitimate Android applications and infects smart phones featuring this operating system.

“The Trojan is created by modifying the legitimate application and then re-distributing via marketplace or other separate channels,” the cyber security agency said. It also tricks the user to respond to a popup with a message to lure the user into launching the downloaded application packages saying: “Google play needs to be updated”, which at times, is malicious in content.

The agency also suggested some counter-measures to stop the illegal activity of such viruses. “Do not download and install applications from untrusted sources, install applications downloaded from reputed application market only, run a full system scan on device with mobile security or anti-virus solution and check for the permissions required by an application before installing.“

“Also, exercise caution while visiting trusted/untrusted sites for clicking links, install and maintain updated mobile security/anti-virus solutions, users are advised to keep an eye on data usage and unusual increase in mobile bills, avoid using unsecured, unknown Wi-Fi networks and make a practise of taking regular backup of Android device,” the advisory suggested.

Content Credits: tech.firstpost.com