A DISGUISED ANDROID FRIEND DISCOVERED – “GO KEYBOARD” IS NOW A KNOWN SPYWARE
A DISGUISED ANDROID FRIEND DISCOVERED – “GO KEYBOARD” IS NOW A KNOWN SPYWARE
For more tips and tricks for cyber security, visit the Manny Cuevas website.
Because of Android�s limitless versatility and its endless support on application development, complete mobile customization is as easy as a few taps and clicks. Almost every feature of an Android mobile phone can be customized. On most cases, users have chosen to customize the most frequently used Android function, the keyboard. Among the pool of keyboard apps, the GO KEYBOARD, because of its simplicity and having tons of customization features. However, it was only discovered recently that the application has been spying on its million users since the bloom of its popularity.
Security researchers from AdGuard have recently discovered that thisGoKeyboard, developed by Chinese GOMO development team, conducts spying and collective data snooping. GoKeyboard was continuously communicating with tracking networks as well as executing code like dex files or native coding through a remote server which proves to be a clear violation of the Developers� Policy Center�s Malicious Behaviours section.
Furthermore the application have openly asked for permissions like retrieve running apps, read sensitive log data, find accounts on the device, read your contacts, read call log, record audio, display unauthorized windows, read terms you added to the dictionary and add words to user-defined dictionary etc.
The spyware nature of GoKeyboard is fearsome due to the core function of the application itself � being a keyboard. It can actually record everything that an Android user type like messages, passwords, pin codes, and almost every activity a user does. GoKeyboard has remained highly popular yet discreet from its first launch. We can only imagine the amount of sensitive information it might have collected from its users.
Google has already been duly informed by the AdGuard researchers of the GoKeyboard�s true nature. As of this date, Google has yet to make their formal statement. As for all Android users, it is highly recommended to immediately remove GoKeyboard apps, regardless of what version they have, and use the default mobile messaging app in their devices. It is always better to stick with what the mobile phone manufacturers provide by default. Customization should always be the least priority of Android users, as compared to functionality and security.
Comments
Post a Comment