Android OS has major security flaw
vx1
Enthusiast - Level 2

Can someone from VZW comment on this?

 

http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/18/technology/android_security/index.htm

 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A significant security hole has been discovered in Google's Android operating system for smartphones, which can allow attackers to gain access to users' personal information without their permission.

The flaw, which was discovered by three research assistants at Ulm University in the southern part of Germany, affects approximately 97% of Android users.

In a recent blog post, the researchers found that users of Android devices running versions 2.3.3 and below could be susceptible to attack when they are connected to unencrypted Wi-Fi networks. Anyone else on that network could gain access to, modify or delete Android users' calendars, photos and contacts.

"It is quite easy," the researchers wrote in a blog post. "The implications of this vulnerability reach from disclosure to loss of personal information."

A spokesman for Googlesaid the company is aware of this issue, and a fix is already in place for the calendar and contacts applications in the latest versions of Android, codenamed "Gingerbread" and "Honeycomb." A solution is also in the works for Google's Picasa photo sharing service, he said.

Only about 3% of Android users have the latest versions of the operating system, but Google said Android users running older versions will get a fix "in the next few days." Users don't need to take any action, and the patch will roll out globally.

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Re: Android OS has major security flaw
Synycalwon
Contributor - Level 1

I agree this is overblown. By the time it hits the mainstream media, you'll notice it always takes on an alarmist tone. The issue has already been posted on this forum:

 

Here

http://community.vzw.com/t5/Android-Discussions/Android-Exploit-Credential-Theft/m-p/531658 

 

And here:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/DROID-by-Motorola/Android-2-3-4-to-Plug-Massive-Security-Hole-for-your-D...

 

View solution in original post

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Re: Android OS has major security flaw
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader
This is a peer to peer forum. However I think we will see Gingerbread for the Thunderbolt sooner rather than later. There is already a leak in wilds.

http://community.vzw.com/t5/ThunderBolt-by-HTC/GINGERBREAD-2-3-For-Thunderbolt/td-p/529194

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Android OS has major security flaw
PJNC284
Master - Level 2

I facepalm everytime I see a related story. It's been blown blown way out of proportion by the tinfoil hat crowd.  And Verizon really doesn't have anything to do with it.  Google is currently working on a server side fix for the worriers at least for the google services (gmail, calendar, contacts).  Picassa will take a little more work based on what they've said.  For now, just don't connect to any sketchy public wifi networks and you'll be fine.  Sidenote- I'm running 2.3.4 so I guess no worries here. :smileyhappy:

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Re: Android OS has major security flaw
Synycalwon
Contributor - Level 1

I agree this is overblown. By the time it hits the mainstream media, you'll notice it always takes on an alarmist tone. The issue has already been posted on this forum:

 

Here

http://community.vzw.com/t5/Android-Discussions/Android-Exploit-Credential-Theft/m-p/531658 

 

And here:

http://community.vzw.com/t5/DROID-by-Motorola/Android-2-3-4-to-Plug-Massive-Security-Hole-for-your-D...

 

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Re: Android OS has major security flaw
vx1
Enthusiast - Level 2

Ah so!

Thanks for those links...

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