Android Smartphones Have Big Security Hole [VIDEO] (Mashable)

[brightcove video="1303264940001 " /] If Google was just starting to forget about the Android malware threats from earlier this year, now it has another security headache: Researchers at North Carolina State University just discovered a new vulnerability in some of the most popular Android phones being sold today.

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The security flaw, described in detail in this white paper, is specific to a certain implementation of the Android operating system, the researchers say, so it doesn?t necessarily affect all Android phones. Most Android handset makers integrate their own software (sometimes called "bloatware") on top of the basic Android OS (for example, HTC?s Sense interface) to serve up various services and differentiate themselves.

But that software is exactly what???s opening up certain phones to malware threats, the research says. Dr. Xuxian Jiang led a team that looked at multiple Android devices, and found that some of the pre-loaded applications that various manufacturers put in, like text-message notifiers, created a ???backdoor??

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What sort of problems could arise? That depends on what sort of malware those hackers use. Theoretically, the vulnerability could be used to install software that records phone calls, send text messages, or even wipe the phone?s settings, according to Science Daily. It?s not clear if hackers could use the backdoor to actually ?root? the phone, but if it?s possible, all bets are off.

The good news: the researchers also tested phones running stock Android, and those phones were ?basically clean,? Jiang says. So was the Motorola Droid.

But many other popular phones are vulnerable. The research specifically names the HTC Legend, EVO 4G, and Wildfire S; the Motorola Droid X; and the Samsung Epic 4G. Most at risk are users of the EVO 4G, which displayed the most vulnerabilities. The EVO is the third most popular smartphone in the U.S., according to research from NPD.

Short of throwing your cellphone away, there are easy ways Android users can guard against malware. First and foremost: download only from trusted sources, like the Google Android Market. While the Market doesn?t have a 100% spotless record on malware, it?s still the biggest and most secure app store for Android, and when Google learns of any problem, it acts fast.

Besides that, users should use a screen password, install OS updates as soon as they?re available for your device, and caution from viewing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi. Finally, several security companies, such as Lookout and Norton, have free security apps that will help protect your phone from becoming a nest for viruses and trojans.

Jiang?s research is ongoing -- he?s going further into the Android device catalog to see if any more phones are vulnerable to the same problem. Mashable contacted Google, Samsung, HTC and Motorola about the report, and we?ll update this story with any responses.

This story originally published on Mashable here.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/security/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/mashable/20111130/tc_mashable/android_smartphones_have_big_security_hole_video

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Forget the mall. It's 'Small Business Saturday'

This is "Small Business Saturday" when shoppers are urged to visit local businesses.?Getting away from the malls and out of the big box stores helps the local economy since more of the money spent stays in the community.

Last year, American Express promoted a program called ?Small Business Saturday? to get Americans on the day after Black Friday to spend some money at a local merchant. In return the consumers who pre-registered got a $25 credit if they spent at least that much at a merchant who is participating.

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Getting away from the malls and out of the big box stores also helps the local economy since more of the money spent stays in the community.

This Saturday, the program is back ? with even more merchants taking part than last year.

RELATED: Top 6 weird Black Friday discounts

?This is the first year I?ve heard about it,? says Robert Pilamunga of the 5th?Avenue Chocolatiere, which is taking part in the promotion. ?It?s good if it promotes business.?

Already, there is a considerable buzz about the event on social media, including Facebook (2.5 million people ?like? it so far) and on Twitter (#SmallBizSaturday).

Last year, merchants who participated said it helped boost sales, which has led yet more local businesses to sign up. On Facebook, over 2 million people ? more than twice as many as last year ? have said they ?like? the event and Twitter?s #SmallBizSaturday has seen over 30,000 tweets sent about the event. American Express has increased the number of cardholders it will give the credit to up to 300,000 (compared to an earlier cap of 200,000).

Even organizations that sometimes bump heads politically ? think the Chamber of Commerce and the White House ? are on the same page supporting the effort. According to Amex some 41 elected officials, mostly governors and mayors, have designated ?Small Business Saturday.???

?Small business is the engine of job creation in the US economy,? said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express in a press release. ?It is also among the sectors hardest hit by the recession.??

According to the federal Small Business Administration there are some 28 million small businesses in the US. In the past they have been the driver for creating new jobs.

According to another organization encouraging Americans to buy locally ? the 3/50 Project (think of 3 businesses you would not like to see disappear and spend $50 a month at them) ? for every $100 spent in a locally owned brick-and-mortar business, $68 stays in the community.

That would certainly be true of Mr. Pilamunga?s business. All of his chocolates are made in Valley Stream, New York, which is on Long Island.

?Everyone who works there is a local resident,? he says.

By way of contrast, 3/50 says only $43 stays in the community when it?s spent in a ?big box? or national chain. Buying on-line means almost nothing stays in the community unless the e-tailer is in exactly the same community, according to the organization?s web site.

In order to qualify for its Small Business Saturday offer, an Amex cardholder has to pre-register (anytime up to December 31st) to receive the $25 credit for any good purchased on Saturday.

RELATED: Top 6 weird Black Friday discounts

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/mlR30Lqnbko/Forget-the-mall.-It-s-Small-Business-Saturday

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