Latest news with #FloridaPolytechnicUniversity
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Student-led research deploys AI to spot stealthy Android malware
LAKELAND, Fla., June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Florida Polytechnic University have developed an artificial intelligence technique that can detect elusive malware known as remote access trojans (RATs) on Android devices. The breakthrough could help protect millions of users from cybercriminals who use RATs to steal personal information and control devices without detection. Nesreen Dalhy B.S. '23, M.S. '25 worked with Dr. Karim Elish, associate professor of computer science at Florida Poly, to identify new, more effective ways to detect this malicious software as part of her master's thesis. "RATs are a significant cybersecurity threat – they are particularly hard to detect, remain persistent and attempt to steal as much of your data as possible," said Dalhy, who has bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from the University. "A lot of the existing research tries to identify general types of malware, but there isn't much that specifically tries to detect RATs." Dalhy, from Davenport, Florida, said RATs have been a problem for years, evolving alongside technology. They continually find new ways to stay hidden in smartphones and steal users' personal information. Androids account for over 80% of the world's mobile devices. "It can silently run in the background of your phone and spy on you without you realizing it," she said. "When you're using an app, you're just seeing whatever is on the screen and not everything that is going on, and that's what RATs take advantage of." It's under this cyber cloak that the malware can take control of an Android device to make calls, send messages, record audio or video, or even encrypt the device's files and demand a ransom. Dalhy and Elish trained a machine learning model to focus only on narrow samples of malware to identify and differentiate specific RAT patterns. By using different threat intelligence databases, they were able to analyze which malware exhibited RAT behavior and use RAT characteristics to highlight more of the smaller samples for detection. Elish, an expert on Android security, said three models they developed detected almost all RATS with 99% accuracy. The next steps for this work will be developing a mobile application based on its results and expanding the research model to detect a broader range of malware families to improve its utility and effectiveness. "Nesreen did amazing work that will have a lot of impact on the community," Elish said. "I am very proud of her work and that we are able to publish this and present it at an important conference." Dalhy and Elish presented the research at the industry-leading IEEE/ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Management and Applications in May. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida Poly assistant professor receives Fulbright to continue research in Canada
Chris Kelley, an assistant professor at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, has been selected by the U.S. State Department as a Fulbright Specialist. Kelley, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, will travel to Canada in August to collaborate on academic curriculum development at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Florida Poly said in a news release. Kelley's research focuses on Parkinson's disease diagnosis and wearable care technology. The Fulbright Specialist Program provides an opportunity for U.S. academics and established professionals to engage in project-based exchanges at host institutions around the world, the release said. During Kelley's project at UWindsor, he will primarily collaborate with Jalal Ahamed, associate professor at UWindsor's Department of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, in building mechatronics systems curriculum while incorporating biomedical aspects, the release said. Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electronics and computer systems to design and build intelligent, automated devices and processes, the release said. 'This is a really great opportunity, and I'm excited to be a part of it,' Kelley said in the release. 'Project-based learning engages students and helps them become better problem solvers because instead of doing everything on paper, they're physically working on something and accomplishing a goal.' Kelley collaborated last year with Ahamed to develop sensors that capture changes in the gait of a person with Parkinson's disease. Ahamed was at Florida Poly as a Fulbright Canada research chair, the release said. Kelley will conduct seminars, workshops and lectures on project-based and experiential learning. Upon his return, Kelley plans to begin implementing the new methods into Florida Poly's mechatronic systems, human robotics and other courses, the release said. 'Dr. Kelley's selection as a Fulbright Specialist highlights Florida Poly's growing role on the global stage,' said Mustapha Achoubane, the senior adviser for international relationships at Florida Poly. 'We are dedicated to fostering international partnerships and academic excellence that empower our faculty and students to become leaders and innovators in science and technology worldwide.' This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida Poly assistant professor is named Fulbright Specialist
Business Journals
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Florida Poly students invest $250,000 in planned $85M Student Achievement Center
Taki Tsetsekas (center), president of Florida Polytechnic University's Student Government Association, signs a resolution approving the investment of $250,000 in the construction of the Student Achievement Center. From left are SGA officers Jonathan Gauthier, treasurer, Hannah Friday, chief of staff, and Lang Towl, vice president.
