Security Blog

Recently, security researchers discovered a new variant of "Encryption Ransomware" targeting mobile devices. Once the ransomware infects a device, it encrypts the files on it and then demands ransom for the decryption key to recover the data.   Encryption Ransomware   In October 2013, ...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (26 Sep 2014)   "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...

  Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Institute of Network and Information Security (NINIS) 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. NINIS provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.   In the report of September, we have downloaded 146 apps from Play Store, where 6 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them was removed from Play Store (on or before 23-Sep). 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: 146 apps Unable to download via the system: 54 apps Downloaded date: 5-September 2014 List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]   Analysis Overview   In this analysis, 146 apps were scanned for bad behaviors. Based on the level of security threat, the apps were divided into 2 categories: apps with malicious and apps with suspicious behaviors. Malicious behavior refers to apps having malicious purpose explicitly, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests. Suspicious behavior refers to apps having behavior, which could cause direct harm to systems and users' interests, but no malicious behavior can be explicitly identified.   1. Scanning Result   Among the 146 scanned apps, 6 apps were identified as security high risk. These 6 Apps were identified with the following high risk behavior signatures Android.Trojan.Generic, Android.Adware.Domob, Android.Adware.Waps, Adware.Android.Startapp, Android.Adware.SmsSpy, Android.Adware.Leadbolt, Android.Adware.Igexin, etc.   List of security high risk apps   Application High risk behavior signature / Ad plug-in Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal Status # 1) 千寻影视    (v2.3.8) Category: Top Free App Installs: >250,000 High risk behavior description: obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, obtain geo-location information, read phone number, call camera...

HKCERT is aware of media reports on IP cameras exposed on the Internet, among which some are located in Hong Kong. According to our research, these exposed IP cameras are usually set up with default administration password, or shipped with vulnerable firmware. The information of...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (19 Sep 2014)   "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...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (12 Sep 2014)   "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...

 Favourite Security Reads of the Week (5 Sep 2014)   "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...

In recent days, some news reported that iCloud accounts were suspected being hacked, causing personal information leakage. This incident is under investigation by law enforcement. To apply the best protection of data for user, HKCERT is informing users to change passwords immediately. If an...

September 2014 Issue of Security Newsletter is available now: /my_url/en/newsletter/1409   Cover Story "Tailor-made 1-time" PayPal Phishing Link Secure Cyberspace Starts from Everyone of Us Hot Topic Hong Kong Google Play Store's...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (29 August 2014)   "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@...