The annual report by the independent UK body Ofcom for the communications industry highlights the increase in data consumption through certain smartphone apps.

According to Ofcom data, “mobile data has experienced an annual increase of between 20 and 30 % in personal consumption.” In daily dynamics, the apps that consume the most data while browsing are: YouTube, with an average of 193 megabytes (MB) per five minutes; Disney+, with 150 MB every five minutes; and AllTrails, with 155 MB for use in the same period of time.

On the other hand, they mention Waze, Hotels.com and Uber, with a consumption of 110 MB, 104 MB and 102 MB, respectively, due to the data they require for “the maps, the real-time transportation network and the way the companies’ servers communicate with the application.”

As for social networks, where users browse more hours a day, Snapchat is mentioned at the top of the list, with a consumption of 101 MB for every five minutes. Then there is Pinterest, which consumes 85 MB every five minutes; Threads with 82 MB for every five minutes; TikTok with 79 MB, Telegram with a consumption of 70 MB, Instagram with 69 MB, Facebook and X with 65 MB and 50 MB each.

It is necessary to take into account that for the calculation of the MB of consumption, each action through the connection is included. That is, “each word, image or video that is viewed through the web browser of a smartphone has its own data footprint, which is measured in megabytes. The same thing happens when posting a photo on Instagram or sending messages via WhatsApp.”

In the case of browsers, the study mentions Safari (default for iOS) as the one that uses the most data, with 56 MB for every five minutes. Microsoft Edge consumes 29 MB and Google Chrome 24 GB every five minutes on average.

Recommendations to optimize and reduce data consumption include deactivating the automatic synchronization of applications, which helps prevent “data from accounts that have been used on other devices from being downloaded to keep applications synchronized.”

In addition, and in the specific case of YouTube videos, it is recommended to view them in lower quality, for example; this is to go from 1,080p to 240p. The user can configure the video quality preferences in advance.

In the case of social networks, it is possible to deactivate automatic downloads and playback of content to reduce data consumption.

Regarding navigation, iOS and Android are known to have a “saving mode in the system settings” that helps limit the amount of data used.

M.Pino

Source: elnacional

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La entrada Apps are increasingly consuming mobile data apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Mothers have always managed to balance, with or without sacrifice, work and marital life with raising children. Nowadays, new technologies are your great ally.

The use of applications and digital platforms are the perfect way for mothers to work remotely. This allows them to fulfill their professional responsibilities without neglecting the care of their children.

Although it is not an easy task, as it requires discipline and commitment to stick to schedules that correspond to each facet of their lives, technological mothers are making progress thanks to various mobile applications, particularly in terms of communication and organization. In this sense, they help them with digital calendars and agendas, reminders and planning accessories, in addition to keeping them in permanent communication with the office and their family. They just need to check the Apple or Google app store for the list of options.

Of course, the upbringing and health of children is the priority. Today’s woman searches the Internet and contacts specialists in key matters such as the best medical care and the most suitable education for her children.

As allies of modern mothers, we find interactive resource platforms, online language or Mathematics classes, as well as educational programs in the “learn by playing” style, beyond permanent communication by video call or instant messaging with teachers and others involved in the educational system of their children. On the other hand, the network offers multiple references to authorized pediatric centers and other medical care centers for minors.

Security is a sensitive topic. Mothers have smart monitors with WiFi to check the baby’s well-being remotely, as well as applications to record feeding, medical appointments, and progress in their growth.

In terms of health and well-being for her, as the head of the family, there is an endless list of applications, programs and platforms aimed at sports, natural medicine, nutrition and medical assistance, educational games, recommendations for vacations or moments of relaxation, which provide wellness options to today’s woman and mother.

M.Pino

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A team of researchers has discovered a new ‘malware’ embedded in applications for Android phones, called CherryBlos, which uses optical character recognition to steal credentials.

Cybersecurity specialists at Trend Micro’s Mobile Application Service (MARS) have warned of a new family of ‘malware’ for Google’s operating system that is involved in cryptocurrency mining and financial scam campaigns.

Initially appearing in April 2023, CherryBlos would have initially been distributed via Telegram and would be present in four different Android apps: GPTalk, Happy Miner, Robot 999, and SynthNet. It is designed to steal credentials related to cryptocurrency transactions and is capable of replacing the addresses used when withdrawing assets from these wallets.

From Trend Micro they remind that, like most modern banking Trojans, CherryBlos “requires accessibility permissions to work”, so that when the user opens the infected application, a pop-up dialog is displayed asking users to enable accessibility permissions. Once it has obtained these permissions, CherryBlos requests two configuration files from the command and control (C&C) server, an address that is stored as a resource string, and communication occurs over HTTPS.

CherryBlos malware steals users’ passwords

To steal the credentials or assets of the wallets, CherryBlos employs different techniques. One of them is to implement a fake pop-up user interface when starting official applications. In fact, it checks the wallet apps that the user has installed on their device to launch a fake one when it detects activity.

It uses the Accessibility Service, a system that monitors activity and, when detected, uses StartActivity to launch the rogue applications in order to trick victims into entering their login credentials. Once the victims enter their passwords and click on the ‘confirm’ button, they are transmitted to the C&C server.

Another theft technique it employs involves spoofing the user interface to modify the withdrawal address so that it goes to a legitimate Binance ‘app’ controlled by cybercriminals.

The malware identifies three keywords during the activity: ‘Withdraw’, ‘Confirm’ and ‘Send’. Once detected, the malware uses the Accessibility service to decipher other elements, such as the type of currency used in that transaction. After overlaying a rogue interface onto the infected application, the asset purchase is complete, and the assets are transferred to an address controlled by the attacker.

Trend Micro has also commented that CherryBlos is capable of reading media files stored on external storage and that it can use optical character recognition (OCR) to recognize mnemonic passwords used to gain account access. This means that when legitimate apps display passphrases on phone screens, this malware can take an image of the screen and then use OCR to translate what appears on the screen into a text format, which is can use to compromise the account.

As you remember from Ars Technica, most of the applications related to banking and sureties use a setting that prevents taking screenshots during confidential transactions and that this malware seems to circumvent these restrictions. This is possible because it gets accessibility permissions used by people with vision problems.

Source: dpa

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La entrada New CherryBlos malware integrates into Android apps apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Spotify reported on a new feature in testing that will automatically create a playlist titled ‘Your offline mix’, for occasions when the user does not have Internet access, and that will include the songs that have been played. recently.

The streaming music playback platform already has a function that allows you to download songs and even complete playlists, so you can listen to them without the need for an Internet connection.

However, these downloads are done manually, selecting the desired songs or ‘playlist’. In addition, it must be done prior to disconnecting the device, since the use of a connection is necessary for the download.

In this framework, Spotify has begun testing a new feature capable of automatically creating a playlist called ‘Your offline mix‘. This playlist will store a mix of songs that the user has recently played and, as the name implies, will be available to play in case of not having an Internet connection.

This was announced by the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek, through a post on Twitter, in which he explained that the company is developing this new function designed for “those moments when you may not be online.”

In addition, as defined by the company in the description of the ‘playlist’, shared in a screenshot by Ek, it is a mix of recently played songs for when “the atmosphere is high, but the connection it is low”.

Source: dpa

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La entrada Spotify will allow you to create lists without an Internet connection apareció primero en Bitfinance.

A team of researchers discovered a new subscription trojan called Fleckpe that is embedded in various photo-editing apps listed on the official Google Play store and downloaded on more than 620,000 devices.

Subscription Trojans are variants that infiltrate smartphones under the guise of legitimate applications that subscribe to payment services without users being aware of it.

This malware, which has been active since 2022, managed to get into applications that offer filters for photos and wallpapers, such as Beauty Slimming Photo Editor or Photo Effect Editor.

This was explained by Kaspersky researchers, who have indicated that they have noticed a total of 11 applications infected by Fleckpe on Google Play, which have been installed on more than 620,000 devices.

Other applications affected by this malware include Gif Camera Editor Pro, Night Cam Rea Pro, Microclip Video Editor, Toolbox Photo Editor, H4KS Wallpaper, and Beauty Camera Plus Photo Editor.

The cybersecurity company assured that the application store has removed these applications “as soon as the report was published” in which it determined that they were dangerous. However, from Kaspersky they announce that “malicious actors could have implemented other applications not yet discovered.”

Source: dpa

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La entrada More than 620,000 devices affected by a subscription Trojan apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Snapchat launched My AI chatbot for all users globally, powered by ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, which also integrates new features such as the ability to create a digital avatar and interact through short video responses.

My IA is a chatbot that the social network defines as “friendly and experimental” and that is powered by the latest version of ChatGPT developed by OpenAI. It is designed to personally “accompany” each user on Snapchat, answering various questions in conversation.

In this sense, the company responsible for Snapchat announced the launch of My AI last February, as a functionality that only Snapchat+ subscribers had access to and that was capable of carrying out actions such as “recommending gift ideas, plan a hiking trip or suggest dinner recipes.

Now, the social network announced through a statement that My AI is now available to all Snapchat users around the world and for free. In addition, he announced that it incorporates new functions to achieve greater customization and new ways of interacting.

Among these new functions, the possibility of creating a Bitmoji digital avatar stands out. Until now, the app allowed you to assign a name to the chatbot and select a conversation background. However, with this new feature, users will be able to customize it with “thousands of physical characteristics, colors, and clothing styles.”

K. Tovar

Source: Softonic

(Reference image source: file)

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La entrada Snapchat chatbot is now available apareció primero en Bitfinance.

WhatsApp urges the UK Government to review its online security bill, to respect end-to-end encryption of private messaging services and “guarantee the human right to privacy” since, otherwise, it implies an “unprecedented threat” to the security of British citizens and around the world.

The instant messaging platform warned about the dangers that the online security bill that the British Government is studying to apply could cause, due to the fact that it gives rise to forcing technology companies to break end-to-end encryption in services of private messaging.

This was stated by the person in charge of WhatsApp in Meta, Will Cathcart, through a post on the platform’s blog, which is also signed by the top executives of other instant messaging platforms such as Signal, Wire or Viber, among others.

According to WhatsApp, the users of these instant messaging applications, both individuals and companies, and even governments, face threats on a daily basis such as online scams, fraud or data theft through infections or ‘malware’ that is transferred through messages. To do this, malicious actors “regularly” challenge the security of messaging application infrastructures.

In this framework, the messaging platform ensures that end-to-end encryption is “one of the strongest possible defenses against these threats” and that, therefore, it should be protected and maintained at all times.

However, the company criticizes that the current wording of the law can be interpreted to eliminate encryption, causing institutions such as the UK communication regulator (OFCOM) to “force” the scanning of private messages “compromising the privacy of all users” and creating an “unprecedented” threat to the security of UK citizens and those they communicate with around the world.

Source: dpa

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La entrada WhatsApp urges UK government to protect end-to-end encryption apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Google withdrew nearly 60 applications from its digital Play Store, which together had more than one hundred million downloads, for sharing a library of malicious software capable of collecting data from infected computers, such as the list of installed apps or location history.

Goldoson is the name that McAfee researchers gave to the software library that had infected 60 legitimate applications from the Google store. The technology company, after the notice, removed a large part of them, although some are still available after the developers offered an update that eliminated the threat.

These applications, once installed on an Android smartphone, contacted a remote server domain for the installation of configurations that for the operation of specific parameters, with which they collected information from the devices, as detailed from McAfee, in the official blog.

The most common actions they performed were loading malicious ads, collecting data (list of installed apps, location history, Bluetooth and WiFi addresses, etc.) and periodically sending them to the remote server. When these data are combined, “they allow the identification of individuals,” they say from the cybersecurity company.

In order to access this data, around 10 % of the applications had the relevant permission for its collection, which Google Play requires, understanding that it is sensitive data. The rest found difficulties on computers that had the Android 11 system or a higher version installed.

K. Tovar

Source: 20minutos

(Reference image source: file)

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La entrada Google removed apps that shared malicious library apareció primero en Bitfinance.

A group of researchers warned of the existence of cybercriminals who hire other cybercriminals through the dark web so that they integrate fraudulent applications and malware into official stores such as Google Play, even paying up to 20,000 euros for their services.

Downloading applications has always been a way to install viruses or software on devices, since through them, they can obtain data or spy on the user. Hence, companies and operators recommend downloading them from official stores, such as Google Play or Apple Store.

These e-shops have security filters that determine if they are legitimate services or not and, normally, they monitor the applications before publishing them. Despite this, cases have been identified that have managed to evade the security controls of these stores.

Thus, a group of researchers advanced that a series of cybercriminals is using a series of methods so that these systems cannot detect malicious applications capable of infecting devices and that they manage to publish on official platforms.

In fact, “many examples” of malicious apps have been discovered on Google Play following complaints from affected users, and the most common ‘apps’ to hide ‘malware’ are usually cryptocurrency trackers, financial apps, QR code scanners and including dating-related services.

Source: dpa

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La entrada Cybercriminals charge up to 20,000 euros for introducing fraudulent applications on Google Play apareció primero en Bitfinance.

Google Play is implementing a new tool that allows you to synchronize the installation of an application on multiple Android devices linked to the same account, which avoids having to download them individually on each of them.

Currently, the same application can be used on two or more devices and they will be automatically synchronized once the session has been started. This is the case of streaming music services, which show the last song played regardless of the terminal from which it was last listened to.

To use an app on each phone, however, it must be downloaded to each device through the Google Play Store or other app stores. However, Google is working on a new format that will allow, with a single download, the application to be installed on all devices that are logged in with a certain account.

This option, discovered by a user on Twitter and picked up by Android Police, appears in the “Manage applications and devices” section and is called Sync applications with devices. Some users have been able to see it in the Google eShop.

When you click this button, the system will present a list of all phones and tablets that have been logged in with that account, as well as a note that “Apps you install on this device will also be installed on your synced devices.”

According to Android Police, this functionality for the moment would only be intended for the most recently installed applications and that, according to what other Android testers have learned, the synchronization option is also automatically enabled for Wear OS devices.

Source: dpa

(Reference image source: file)

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La entrada Google sync apps on accounts linked to multiple devices apareció primero en Bitfinance.