Google uses Android kill switch to eliminate malicious apps on phones

By on Mar 6, 2011 at 2:15 PM
Software March 6, 2011

A few days ago Google was made aware that there were over 20 apps in the Android Market that were up to no good. These malicious apps gained system-level access to your handset when downloaded and would intercept and covertly transmit private data to 3rd party servers. Some of these apps have been downloaded more than 50,000 times. To try and fix the problem, Google has started using a remote kill switch feature in Android to wirelessly nuke those installed apps on user’s handsets. That’s not the entire story, though, as Google is actually installing new code in the process. The new code undoes the exploit and prevents your data from being shared, and it’s kind of creepy to plainly see how much control Google has over your Android phone from afar. Affected users have started receiving emails that the process has been completed.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,
70 Comments

Related Articles

  • Watman15

    Of course it’s creepy. Google is not so different than apple. They want to control everything. Everyone knows that google can track what you do with every google search. They have their google software all over the web. I have google Crome gmail plus later I’ll probably have their operating system. Etc etc

  • Dale

    Regarding concerns over Google’s ability to kill malware apps remotely… Is the thought of your phone’s Os being hacked and important info being transmitted to unknown servers without your knowledge comforting ?

    BTW, I don’t own an iPhone or Android phone. Just a basic, solid cell phone.

  • Gajetman

    Is this the only post you can come up with? Oh, I forgot; it’s Sunday your day of rest.

  • Anonymous

    well sheeze, I want Google to be able to do this on malicious apps. If they start to abuse it by exercising control over apps like Apple does then start bitchin’ people!

  • Cbarnes3595

    Don’t Blackberry look better all the time

  • Anonymous

    But it’s open though lol

  • Scorp

    Yeah, only Apple likes to have control. Apple is evil and Google is great. Right.

    Android fans bow down to Google. They don’t care that Google has control over all their information. They swear Apple is evil and Google has their best interest in mind. Neither company is any more evil/good than the other. Period.

  • WinPhone King

    Funny how this “hate on Google” article became a “hate on Apple more” comment section. Like it or not, Apple’s app store policies have more user protections built-in than Google’s. Apple has NOT used there kill switch as yet while Google has now done so several times. I don’t care either way anymore, I’ve gne to a Windows Phone. I am the King Target of Hate.

    • Anonymous

      Yeah, but the App Store is NOT protected by Google. Google protects us! Always. They always look out for our best interests, not the best interest of their shareholders and that’s a fact! Apple doesn’t care about their customers. It never has! Otherwise their products would look nice. Like well designed. I mean, have you seen the packaging of Apple products? I mean, where’s the nice brown cardboard packaging with bubbles? From the moment you open an Apple product you realize how cheap it is.

  • 1T2dirtnap

    Good job Google… kill those malicious apps… maybe some day you will care for your app store with the same hand Apple does its app store!

  • Bhamilton0213

    apple has been doing this for years..

1 2
blog comments powered by Disqus