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Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps
Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps

South Wales Guardian

time5 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps

Anti-fraud, cybersecurity and financial organisations are highlighting a 'surge' in Android malware on mobile phones. They want people to be on the lookout for unexpected updates or 'strange' app requests and are urging users to 'stop before you tap'. Malicious apps may mimic legitimate tools to steal banking details. The Cyber Defence Alliance (CDA), UK Finance, Cifas, and ThreatFabric have joined forces to highlight the problem. A post shared by National Cyber Security Centre (@cyberhq) In some cases, malicious apps may look like file managers, PDF readers, phone cleaners, or even browsers like Google Chrome, the organisations said. Once installed, they can appear harmless but later activate harmful features through hidden updates. Criminals may use techniques which overlay fake login screens on top of real banking apps to steal login credentials. Deceptive 'busy' or 'waiting' screens may be displayed to mask fraudulent activity. People may also be prevented from exiting the app or restarting their device. They may find that excessive permissions such as 'accessibility' access are requested. People are being urged by the organisations to be vigilant particularly when being prompted to re-authenticate during a banking session. This could also mean an unexpected prompt to install or update Chrome; or being asked to grant unusual permissions, particularly accessibility access. International crime groups are at heart of mobile attacks, the organisations said, adding that users in general should be vigilant. Han Sahin, CEO of ThreatFabric, said: 'Just as we've learned to be cautious with links, we now need the same vigilance when installing apps. This is the logical next step in staying safe, and public awareness is crucial.' Garry Lilburn, operations director at CDA, said: 'This crime highlights the growing prevalence and sophistication of mobile malware. 'As we work to better understand and disrupt this evolving threat, it's crucial that financial consumers stay vigilant, follow recommended security tips, and take a moment to verify what's in front of them – before becoming the next victim of this highly targeted fraud.' Recommended Reading: HMRC scam warning as thousands sent fake winter fuel message New regional energy pricing could increase prices in these areas Martin Lewis shares 'crucial need to know' energy bill rules 1. Only download apps from trusted sources. 2. Check app reviews and developer information before installing. 3. Keep your device's operating system and apps up to date. 4. Report suspect apps or activity to your bank immediately. 5. Be wary of apps requesting unnecessary permissions. The above suggestions have been made by the organisations to help mobile users stay safe.

Google Chrome is testing iOS-like page transitions on Android, and you can try it out now
Google Chrome is testing iOS-like page transitions on Android, and you can try it out now

Android Authority

time17 hours ago

  • Android Authority

Google Chrome is testing iOS-like page transitions on Android, and you can try it out now

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google Chrome is testing a predictive back feature that previews the previous page, preventing users from accidentally navigating away. Leveraging Android's built-in functionality, the preview shows the prior page in your history, but a gray screen if it's returning home. The feature is currently in A/B testing in Chrome's stable version, but users can enable it manually via feature flags. Accidentally exiting an app can be frustrating, especially when it leads to lost progress or data. That's why Google introduced a feature called Predictive Back in Android 13, which lets you preview the previous screen before completing the back gesture. This saves you from inadvertently leaving an app you want to stay on. Web browsers are a perfect use case for this, as they can preview the previous page in your history. Now, it seems Google agrees, as the company has begun testing this exact functionality in Chrome for some users. The other day, I noticed that when swiping back in Google Chrome, the browser showed a dimmed preview of the previous page in tabs that had a browse history. The behavior was different in new tabs. In some cases, the preview was an opaque gray background with the Chrome logo, indicating the gesture would return me to the new tab page. In other instances, it showed a gray overlay, signifying a return to my phone's home screen. Finally, if the gesture was going to close the tab, no preview appeared at all. I'm seeing this new page transition animation in Chrome version 138, the latest stable release. While the feature was first spotted last year, it was hidden behind a flag at the time. I haven't enabled any Chrome flags on my device, which suggests that Google is now A/B testing the animation with users. Hopefully, the tests go well, as this feature will be helpful in preventing accidental navigation. If you don't see this animation yet and want to enable it right away, you can do so by enabling the following Chrome flags: Code Copy Text chrome://flags#back-forward-transitions chrome://flags#right-edge-goes-forward-gesture-nav (Copy and paste the first chrome://flag into Chrome's address bar and hit enter to be taken right to the flag in question. Change it from 'Default' to 'Enabled'. Repeat with the second flag, then restart Chrome.) The first flag enables the preview for the back gesture. The second flag enables the same preview to appear when navigating forward (by swiping inward from the right edge of the screen). Follow

5 browsers you should use instead of Chrome
5 browsers you should use instead of Chrome

Android Authority

time21 hours ago

  • Android Authority

5 browsers you should use instead of Chrome

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Google Chrome dominates the browser market, holding an almost 70% market share globally, according to StatCounter. This widespread adoption is often attributed to its pre-installation on nearly every Android phone, leading to an effortless default for many users. Being a Google product also lends it a certain level of perceived trust – for better or worse. However, Chrome isn't without its critics or its flaws. I'm not the biggest fan of the browser, as I think it lacks a lot of great features offered by its rival. For users seeking enhanced privacy, greater personalization, or cutting-edge AI integration, several alternatives offer a compelling departure from the Google default. If you're ready to explore what else is out there, this list of Google Chrome alternatives has you covered. Which of the following is the best Chrome alternative in your opinion? 0 votes Samsung Internet NaN % Brave NaN % Firefox NaN % Vivaldi NaN % Opera NaN % Other (let me know in the comments) NaN % 1. Samsung Internet: Not just for Samsung phones Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Despite popular belief, Samsung Internet isn't exclusive to Samsung devices. This robust browser is readily available on the Google Play Store and can be downloaded onto virtually any Android smartphone. I personally used it for years and became quite fond of it for several reasons. One of its standout features is the bottom-positioned toolbar, a user-friendly design choice that contrasts with Chrome's traditional top placement. However, it's worth noting that Chrome has recently begun to implement a similar bottom toolbar feature, which you can learn more about here. Samsung Internet's toolbar is also far more customizable. Users can select from approximately 25 different buttons to add, including quick access to Downloads, History, Bookmarks, and many other useful functions. The ability to open Incognito mode with a single tap further streamlines the browsing experience. Samsung's browser truly boasts a thoughtful and well-designed interface, making it one of the top Chrome alternatives available. 2. Brave: Privacy by default Megan Ellis / Android Authority What sets Brave apart is its unwavering commitment to privacy and security. The browser proactively blocks intrusive elements like advertising networks and trackers that commonly monitor and identify users on most other browsers. Crucially, this enhanced privacy isn't something you need to configure; it's activated by default, out of the box. The company claims Brave is faster than Chrome. Beyond its privacy advantages, Brave also claims significant speed improvements over its competition. According to the company's internal testing, Brave can load specific websites up to six times faster than Chrome, Safari, and other mainstream browsers, providing a noticeably snappier experience. Like its rivals, Brave offers an incognito mode for an even more private browsing session. However, Brave elevates this by integrating Tor connectivity. This provides several additional benefits, most notably masking your IP address from the websites you visit, adding an extra layer of anonymity. 3. Mozilla Firefox: Open source and independent Andy Walker / Android Authority Firefox is a fantastic browser that I've used extensively, and it continues to be a favorite among many. A significant draw for users is the fact that the company behind it is a non-profit organization, proudly stating it's 'still not owned by any billionaires.' Its core philosophy centers on speed, extensive customizability, and user privacy. Similar to Brave, Firefox features built-in ad-tracking protection by default, eliminating the need to delve into settings to enhance your privacy. The browser offers a vast array of customization options, allowing you to tailor its appearance and functionality to your exact preferences. It also includes a convenient built-in Reading Mode, perfect for decluttering web pages when you're focusing on news articles or lengthy reads. A key differentiator for Firefox is its rendering engine. Unlike Chrome and the majority of other browsers that rely on the Chromium open-source project, Firefox is built on its own rendering engine, Gecko. This is a crucial distinction as it promotes web diversity, preventing a single company (Google, in this case) from holding too much control over web standards and how content is displayed. 4. Vivaldi: Customization for power users Mitja Rutnik / Android Authority Vivaldi stands out as another privacy-focused browser that grants users an exceptional degree of control. During the initial setup process, you can precisely customize what you allow and disallow from being tracked. Its home page features a highly customizable speed dial, providing quick access to your favorite websites, and you can even change the background to personalize your overall experience. Vivaldi incorporates desktop-style tabs at the top of the interface. Based on Chromium, Vivaldi offers a fast browsing experience and uniquely incorporates desktop-style tabs at the top of the interface. While this might create a slightly more cluttered appearance compared to some minimalist rivals, it makes switching between tabs far more intuitive and efficient for many users. Beyond tab management, Vivaldi offers numerous other customization options that I particularly appreciate, including the ability to add a variety of shortcuts for easy access. For instance, I find the translation shortcut in the toolbar incredibly useful, allowing me to translate an entire page to my native language with just a single tap. 5. Opera: AI integration, VPN, and more Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority I used Opera for a considerable period before eventually exploring other options on this list. There's genuinely a lot to love about it: it's fast, highly customizable, and now even features an integrated AI chatbot named Aria, powered by ChatGPT. This is a fantastic addition for quickly conducting basic research or asking specific questions directly within the browser, eliminating the need to open a separate AI chatbot. Opera also comes equipped with a built-in VPN and an integrated ad blocker, offering enhanced privacy and a cleaner browsing experience right out of the box. Additional features like 'Data Saver' (great for those on limited data plans) and 'Night Mode' (for improved reading in low light) further enhance its utility. Being based on Chromium, Opera benefits from compatibility with all Chrome extensions, making the transition from Chrome remarkably seamless for users accustomed to a wide array of browser add-ons. However, it's important to note that Opera was acquired by a Chinese consortium in 2016. This ownership may be a point of consideration for some users due to general privacy concerns sometimes associated with products and services tied to Chinese companies. These five browsers represent excellent starting points if you're looking to move away from Google Chrome, but the browser ecosystem is rich with other compelling options worth exploring. Among these are emerging AI-powered browsers like Dia and Comet, though neither is currently widely available on Android. Did I miss any major alternatives that you swear by? Let me know in the comments below. Follow

Urgent Google Chrome Update Confirmed — Download And Restart Now
Urgent Google Chrome Update Confirmed — Download And Restart Now

Forbes

timea day ago

  • Forbes

Urgent Google Chrome Update Confirmed — Download And Restart Now

Update Chrome now - you have been warned. A Google Chrome security update is, frankly, hardly breaking news these days. We see them announced week after week, but usually they address a bunch of vulnerabilities that external security researchers have disclosed, and occasionally even a zero-day that is already being exploited by attackers. Thankfully, the latter is not the case here, but it is unusual in that this emergency update addresses a single, high-severity vulnerability disclosed by an anonymous security researcher. If Google felt it was necessary to release an update under these circumstances, then it's imperative that you ensure your browser is updated and the security protections offered are activated as soon as possible. Here's what you need to know, and do. Google Chrome Security Update 138.0.7204.183 Confirmed In a July 29 posting by Google Chrome's Srinivas Sista, the latest security update for the world's most popular web browser was confirmed. The highly unusual notification featured just one security vulnerability that an anonymous researcher had disclosed, and as such, I would suggest it requires your immediate attention. The high-severity CVE-2025-8292 vulnerability is of the use-after-free variety and impacts Chrome's media stream component. The anonymous researcher involved was awarded a bounty of $8,000 for responsibly disclosing the security flaw to Google. Although Sista said that access to the vulnerability details 'may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix,' which is good policy, we do know that such use-after-free memory corruption issues can enable remote attackers, using malicious web pages, to execute arbitrary code including malware, as well as the exfiltration of data. Which is why it is recommended that you don't wait the days or weeks it could take for this urgent security update to reach your browser, but instead kickstart the process yourself by simply heading to the Help|About Google Chrome option from your browser settings menu. Update Chrome now. This will take your browser to version 138.0.7204.183/.184 for Windows, Mac and 138.0.7204.183 for Linux. It is not, however, enough to protect you from the Chrome vulnerability that is being patched. To get that protection, you need to activate the update by restarting the browser. Your open tabs will be saved and reopened, so you don't need to worry about losing work. Relaunch your browser to activate Chrome protection.

Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps
Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps

Glasgow Times

time2 days ago

  • Glasgow Times

Mobile phone users warned to ‘stop before you tap' on apps

Anti-fraud, cybersecurity and financial organisations are highlighting a 'surge' in Android malware on mobile phones. They want people to be on the lookout for unexpected updates or 'strange' app requests and are urging users to 'stop before you tap'. Malicious apps may mimic legitimate tools to steal banking details. The Cyber Defence Alliance (CDA), UK Finance, Cifas, and ThreatFabric have joined forces to highlight the problem. How do you know if someone is scamming your phone? In some cases, malicious apps may look like file managers, PDF readers, phone cleaners, or even browsers like Google Chrome, the organisations said. Once installed, they can appear harmless but later activate harmful features through hidden updates. Criminals may use techniques which overlay fake login screens on top of real banking apps to steal login credentials. Deceptive 'busy' or 'waiting' screens may be displayed to mask fraudulent activity. People may also be prevented from exiting the app or restarting their device. They may find that excessive permissions such as 'accessibility' access are requested. People are being urged by the organisations to be vigilant particularly when being prompted to re-authenticate during a banking session. This could also mean an unexpected prompt to install or update Chrome; or being asked to grant unusual permissions, particularly accessibility access. International crime groups are at heart of mobile attacks, the organisations said, adding that users in general should be vigilant. How to avoid scams Han Sahin, CEO of ThreatFabric, said: 'Just as we've learned to be cautious with links, we now need the same vigilance when installing apps. This is the logical next step in staying safe, and public awareness is crucial.' Garry Lilburn, operations director at CDA, said: 'This crime highlights the growing prevalence and sophistication of mobile malware. 'As we work to better understand and disrupt this evolving threat, it's crucial that financial consumers stay vigilant, follow recommended security tips, and take a moment to verify what's in front of them – before becoming the next victim of this highly targeted fraud.' Recommended Reading: Have to stay safe from mobile fraud 1. Only download apps from trusted sources. 2. Check app reviews and developer information before installing. 3. Keep your device's operating system and apps up to date. 4. Report suspect apps or activity to your bank immediately. 5. Be wary of apps requesting unnecessary permissions. The above suggestions have been made by the organisations to help mobile users stay safe.

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