Security Blog

  Cover Story Hong Kong Security Watch Report (Q1 2016) Hot Topic Hong Kong Google Play Store's Apps Security Risk Report (April 2016) Upcoming Event "Protect Data, Secure Transaction" Mascot Design Contest   Want the newsletter delivered...

  Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China (CNCERT) for detecting malicious and suspicious behaviors of Apps from the Google Play Store, in order to study the security risk of apps in the Google Play Store in Hong Kong area. CNCERT provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.   In the report of April, we have downloaded 163 apps from Play Store, where 5 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them were removed from Play Store (on or before 28-Apr). The detail of report is shown as follow.   Target scope Top 50 Free Applications in Hong Kong area Top 50 New Free Applications in Hong Kong area Top 50 Free Games in Hong Kong area Top 50 New Free Games in Hong Kong area   Scanned Apps Successful downloaded and scanned: 163 apps Unable to download via the system: 37 apps Downloaded date: 5-April 2016 List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]   Analysis Overview   In this analysis, 163 apps were scanned for bad behaviors. 5 apps were identified as security high risk. Based on the level of security threat, the following apps listed below are defined as high risk apps, which refers to apps having behavior, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests.   1. Scanning Result   List of security high risk apps   Application High risk behavior description Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal Status # 1) Bubble Shooter Games(v6.0) Category: Top Free App, Top Free Game Installs: 100,000+ obtain SIM serial number obtain SIM status obtain geo-location information obtain device information read voice mail number read phone number connect to the Internet 9 / 56 [Link] Available on play store 2) Agar.io   (v 1.3.1) Category: Top Free Game Installs: 50,000,000+ obtain SIM operator name obtain SIM status obtain geo-location information obtain device information connect to the Internet send out phone information 2 / 56 [Link] Available on play store 3) 天堂戰記   (v .10.213) Category: Top Free Game Installs: 500,000+ obtain SIM operator name obtain SIM serial number obtain SIM status obtain geo-location information obtain WiFi configuration obtain device information read phone number connect...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (29 Apr 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (22 Apr 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (15 Apr 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (8 Apr 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (1 Apr 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....

  Cover Story HKCERT Security Alert: Locky Ransomware in the Wild An aggressive campaign of Locky ransomware APCERT Conducts Cyber Drill on An Evolving Threat and Financial Fraud SSL/TLS Protocols Security Guidelines Hot Topic Hong Kong Google Play Store...

  Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China (CNCERT) for detecting malicious and suspicious behaviors of Apps from the Google Play Store, in order to study the security risk of apps in the Google Play Store in Hong Kong area. CNCERT provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.   In the report of February, we have downloaded 178 apps from Play Store, where 5 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them were removed from Play Store (on or before 30-Mar). The detail of report is shown as follow.   Target scope Top 50 Free Applications in Hong Kong area Top 50 New Free Applications in Hong Kong area Top 50 Free Games in Hong Kong area Top 50 New Free Games in Hong Kong area   Scanned Apps Successful downloaded and scanned: 178 apps Unable to download via the system: 22 apps Downloaded date: 5-March 2016 List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]   Analysis Overview   In this analysis, 178 apps were scanned for bad behaviors. 5 apps were identified as security high risk. Based on the level of security threat, the following apps listed below are defined as high risk apps, which refers to apps having behavior, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests.   1. Scanning Result   List of security high risk apps   Application High risk behavior description Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal Status # 1) 呂布全壘打 逗趣武將   (v1.4.9) Category: New Free App, New Free Game Installs: + obtain SIM operator name obtain SIM status obtain device information obtain geo-location information connect...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (24 Mar 2016)   "Favourite Security Reads of the Week". Each week we share five news or articles that we like. We hope you will love this column and we welcome your comment via email to hkcert@hkcert....