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900 Million Android Phones Hit by Security Flaw

Posted: August 8, 2016 to Technology.

Tags: Data Breach, Digital Forensics, AI

Unfortunately for Android fans, a new security flaw has be discovered. Found in the software of tens of millions of phones, this flaw allows hackers to get complete access the user’s data. The vulnerabilities were discovered by security researchers at Checkpoint after six months of reverse engineering the code being run by Qualcomm chipsets. About 900 million Android phones are running on Qualcomm processors. The flaws were found in the code of software that helps communicate between different processes and the software that deals with graphics. A hacker exploiting the vulnerability would be able to gradually take over a phone and get access to its data. So far there is no evidence of the flaw being used in attacks, though that is only a matter of time. Fortunately Qualcomm has created bug patches and has begun fixing the problem in devices still in the factory. Affected devices included:
  • BlackBerry Priv
  • Blackphone 1 and Blackphone 2
  • Google Nexus 5X, Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P
  • HTC One, HTC M9 and HTC 10
  • LG G4, LG G5, and LG V10
  • New Moto X by Motorola
  • OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus 3
  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra
  • US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung S7 Edge

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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