Hacking warning for smartphone users
PUBLISHED : Monday, 07 January, 2013, 5:57pm
UPDATED : Monday, 07 January, 2013, 6:23pm
People using Android-powered smartphones are at higher risk of exposure to hackers, says a computer safety group.
Users are warned against downloading apps from unofficial sources after a record number of software loopholes were identified last year, according to the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Co-ordination Centre, which is managed by the Productivity Council.
The centre issued a record high 429 security alerts last year, in response to warnings by software and system designers.
It also received 1,050 reports of computer security incidents, the highest since 2007.
There were 426 hacking cases reported, the highest since 2004.
Leung Siu-cheong, a senior consultant at the centre, said among all major smartphone providers, Android had a rather hacker-friendly app store. It allows all users to put up apps for downloading.
E-criminals often “jailbreak” authentic applications and provide them free – or package funny games or useful applications – with viruses.
Leung said people should keep track of the latest software warnings and download available patches immediately.
Most Popular
Viewed
- 1
![The Post turns a spotlight on the ‘disgusting’ insect with apparently remarkable medicinal qualities at the world’s largest breeding facility, where the bugs outnumber the planet’s human population]( "The Post turns a spotlight on the ‘disgusting’ insect with apparently remarkable medicinal qualities at the world’s largest breeding facility, where the bugs outnumber the planet’s human population")
- 2
![China’s People’s Liberation Army said its aircraft had conducted “Island encirclement” patrols near Taiwan in recent days. Photo: Weibo]( "China’s People’s Liberation Army said its aircraft had conducted “Island encirclement” patrols near Taiwan in recent days. Photo: Weibo")
- 3
![Oscar Mok was at Arbe Chan’s flat hoping to get back together with her]( "Oscar Mok was at Arbe Chan’s flat hoping to get back together with her")
- 4
![Stock exchange officials from New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore are trying to pitch their bourses on what would probably be the largest global initial public offering in four years]( "Stock exchange officials from New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore are trying to pitch their bourses on what would probably be the largest global initial public offering in four years")
- 5
![Patrick Ho was working for the China Energy Fund Committee, a Hong Kong research group that receives funding from CEFC China Energy, at the time of his arrest. Photo: Franke Tsang]( "Patrick Ho was working for the China Energy Fund Committee, a Hong Kong research group that receives funding from CEFC China Energy, at the time of his arrest. Photo: Franke Tsang")
Shared
- 1
![The Post turns a spotlight on the ‘disgusting’ insect with apparently remarkable medicinal qualities at the world’s largest breeding facility, where the bugs outnumber the planet’s human population]( "The Post turns a spotlight on the ‘disgusting’ insect with apparently remarkable medicinal qualities at the world’s largest breeding facility, where the bugs outnumber the planet’s human population")
- 2
![Oscar Mok was at Arbe Chan’s flat hoping to get back together with her]( "Oscar Mok was at Arbe Chan’s flat hoping to get back together with her")
- 3
![Stock exchange officials from New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore are trying to pitch their bourses on what would probably be the largest global initial public offering in four years]( "Stock exchange officials from New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore are trying to pitch their bourses on what would probably be the largest global initial public offering in four years")
- 4
![Yoselyn Ortega has been convicted of murdering Lucia Krim, 6, and Leo Krim, 2, while their mother was with their little sister at a swimming class, and their father was on a business trip]( "Yoselyn Ortega has been convicted of murdering Lucia Krim, 6, and Leo Krim, 2, while their mother was with their little sister at a swimming class, and their father was on a business trip")
- 5
![China’s People’s Liberation Army said its aircraft had conducted “Island encirclement” patrols near Taiwan in recent days. Photo: Weibo]( "China’s People’s Liberation Army said its aircraft had conducted “Island encirclement” patrols near Taiwan in recent days. Photo: Weibo")
Commented
- 1
![To practise Vipassana, students cannot speak or react to their environment. A writer finds tedium, solace and ultimately reward in the ‘incredible reset’]( "To practise Vipassana, students cannot speak or react to their environment. A writer finds tedium, solace and ultimately reward in the ‘incredible reset’")
- 2
![Using a simple colour or star rating, FoodSwitch HK will show consumers how healthy a product is when its bar code is scanned by a smartphone]( "Using a simple colour or star rating, FoodSwitch HK will show consumers how healthy a product is when its bar code is scanned by a smartphone")
- 3
![Shark finning is now popular in Indonesia because it is so profitable. Photo: Biosphoto/Nicolas Cégalerba]( "Shark finning is now popular in Indonesia because it is so profitable. Photo: Biosphoto/Nicolas Cégalerba")
- 4
![There’s no stand-out factor causing IBS, but health experts say reducing stress, cutting alcohol and coffee intake and switching to alternative foods can offer relief for the millions of sufferers worldwide]( "There’s no stand-out factor causing IBS, but health experts say reducing stress, cutting alcohol and coffee intake and switching to alternative foods can offer relief for the millions of sufferers worldwide")
- 5
![Basic economy offers travellers cheap no-frills flights.]( "Basic economy offers travellers cheap no-frills flights.")
You may also like
Spanish artist Ignasi Monreal offers a glimpse into Gucci’s dreamscape utopia
Presented by: Gucci
Enjoy luxury bed and breakfast like never before at Wynn Palace
Sponsored by: Wynn Palace
![--ONE TIME USE ONLY-- A general view of 'Chinatown' situated behind the Kings Romans casino in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Bokeo Province, Laos, 08 November 2017. [15APIL2018 POST MAGAZINE] CREDIT / ALEX HOFFORD](https://cdn2.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/220x137/public/images/methode/2018/04/14/55e07b38-3344-11e8-9019-a420e6317de0_1320x770_224410.JPG?itok=GXWRRoy4 "--ONE TIME USE ONLY-- A general view of 'Chinatown' situated behind the Kings Romans casino in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Bokeo Province, Laos, 08 November 2017. [15APIL2018 POST MAGAZINE] CREDIT / ALEX HOFFORD")
Comments: