Android
Trojans are slowly becoming serious threat to Android ecosystem
Trojans have been around for a long time and are not unique to Android. We are seeing more reports related to Android, however, Trojans are becoming a serious threat to Android users.
This particular article is inspired by a recent report on the Android Banking Trojan. Those Trojans infected almost a dozen Android apps and were able to reach more than 300,000 users.
When it comes to this report and many others we’ve seen this year, it’s worrying that those apps are finding their way into the Google Play Store. Google’s own app store should be very secure and this is normal, but there is always a way to overcome malware cracks. Third-party app stores are usually easy targets.
Trojans and Android ecosystem
These banking Trojans have done it smart, but we hope Google finds a way to prevent this from happening in the future, at least to some extent. These Trojans use loaders to go through security fences. Loaders are small pieces of malware hidden inside apps. They are generally unaware of Google’s security and this applies to other platforms as well. Clearly, Apple’s Appstore is not immune to such problems.
Most of these Trojans do not work at first, but after many upgrades they become malicious. Those who put them in apps release updates to add bits and pieces of malicious software.
In this way, in some cases, as demonstrated by these banking Trojans, it is possible to escape Google’s protection. We have seen over 300,000 infected Trojans this year and this is a cause for concern.
The pleasure of using a smartphone is definitely installing apps because each app basically gives you another new function. You can play it safe and stick to well-known apps from big companies, but you should not be limited to that.
If you find it very interesting to install a lot of obscure apps in the Play Store you can stay safe. There are many great apps that you have never heard of and they provide functionality that no other app has.
It would be ideal if Google could completely prevent this from happening, but we know it’s not possible. So we can expect this to continue to be an outstanding performance. When hundreds of thousands of devices find their way before such apps are removed, that’s the problem.
It is important to note that the malware is usually hidden in image editing apps, PDF scanners, QR code scanners, and some similar apps. People need it from time to time and usually install it in a hurry without thinking twice about it.
Let’s hope that the problem will be reduced in the future due to Android Trojans. We all know that Google does everything possible to prevent this from happening, but you also have to play your part. You need to test a little closer before you install the app and most importantly, be very careful about what kind of permissions you give to the app.
Remember before you give different permissions to apps
If the PDF scanning app needs permission to send SMS messages, make calls, etc., you know that something went wrong. This is just an example. The problem is that most people give everything they want without thinking.
Needless to say, this is not the right way to go. Those permissions are in effect for a reason. I can not emphasize this enough, do not allow unnecessary things, in other words, be careful of what you allow. This is the last line of your defense, and it can be very effective.
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Recently, Google started to release the Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 update to Pixel smartphone users. The company will continue to run the Android 13 QPR3 Beta program until the Android 14 Beta begins as part of testing features that would be released with the June 2023 Android Feature Drop.
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Courtesy of Esper.io’s Mishaal Rahman, we have a pretty clear idea of what new features are included in the latest Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1. It’s worth mentioning that the company brought various tweaks with the QPR3 Beta derived from the Android 14 DP2.
Android 13 QPR Beta is a Pixel-exclusive software development plan, which Google initiated to test features prior to its quarterly feature drops. Similarly, Samsung brings new features and enhancements to Galaxy devices, but there’s no pre-defined distribution program.
Here is the Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 stuff:
- Device Controls can show a custom embedded activity from providers, but only to developers in Android 14 DP2’s release.
- The transient taskbar is now available when gesture navigation is enabled, while the persistent taskbar appears with 3-button navigation.
- Users now have the option to display weather on the lock screen separately from smartspace.
- The font scaling Quick Setting tile is now available when enabled.
- A new “emoji wallpaper” generator is available in Android 14 DP2, but not enabled by default.
- Three new keyguard quick affordances are supported: Mute, notetaking, and video camera.
- Watch Unlock feature can now be accessed through Settings integration.
- A “show only new notifications on lock screen” option is available under Settings Notifications, but only if the lock_screen_show_only_unseen_notifications is set to ‘1’.
- Share menu is more consistent with an unbundled chooser.
After two developer previews, the Mountain View company is expected to release the Android 14 Public Beta 1 for Pixel devices next month. As reported, there will be a single Beta update in QPR3 Beta as Google says the preview will “continue until Android 14 Beta kicks off.”
“If you’re participating in QPR3 beta, you will automatically receive an over-the-air (OTA) update to Android 14 Beta 1 when it becomes available. No separate program opt-in is required. We’ll provide more information as we get closer to the Android 14 beta release.”
In late October, Samsung released Android 13-based One UI 5.0, and expansion started on November 7. Later, the company brought One UI 5.1, which started to land on Galaxy devices on February 13. However, here’s a list of Samsung Galaxy devices that won’t receive the Android 14 (One UI 6.0) update.
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Back in February, Google released the Android 14 Developer Preview 1 (DP2 on Mar. 8) to eligible Pixel phones. However, Samsung’s One UI 6 Beta testing is expected to start by the end of July or early August, followed by a Stable release later this year. Read more → Everything about One UI 6.0
The Galaxy flagships debuted after the S21 series are eligible for four major OS upgrades. At the same time, select mid-range phones, starting with Galaxy A53 and Galaxy A73, are also eligible to get up to four generations of Android upgrades and five years of patches.
The Galaxy S20 series and Note 20 series smartphones are no longer eligible for any major firmware upgrade. The same case is for the Galaxy Z Flip (LTE/5G), S20 FE (LTE/5G), Z Fold 2 5G, Note 10 Lite, S10 Lite, A51, and A71 devices.
It’s worth mentioning that all of the devices have received the Android 13-based One UI 5 as their third major update. As per the company’s software update policy, Samsung devices mentioned above (below in list format) won’t be receiving the next big Android update – Android 14.
- Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Flip – LTE/5G
- Galaxy S20 FE – LTE/5G
- Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
- Galaxy Note 10 Lite
- Galaxy S10 Lite
- Galaxy A51 and A71
If you want to experience the upcoming Android 14-based One UI 6 software, upgrading to the Galaxy S23 is the best option for now. In the second half, Samsung will release the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 devices, which will also be getting One UI 6 in priority.
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Samsung amazed Galaxy consumers with the Android 13 rollout and now there are high hopes for the Android 14 update this year. Based on Android 14, the One UI 6.0 version is expected to be available on the Beta channel by August and on the Stable channel by October.
Android 14’s development had begun in early February and the OEM hopes to bring the official version in July this year. This Samsung Android 14 update page will keep you updated with the latest inputs, developments, and early information.
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Note: We will add/remove content following the latest and authentic inputs.
Android 14 Beta News
//March 8
- Google pushed the Developer Preview 2 build to Pixel phones with new security and privacy focussed features.
//March 4
- Samsung might announce the One UI 6 Beta program earlier than last year.
//February 8
- Google released Developer Preview 1 build for devices ranging from Pixel 4a 5G to Pixel 7 Pro.
Android 14 Stable News
//March 14
- Google released the March 2023 Android Feature Drop ahead of the Android 14 announcement at I/O 2023.
//March 4
- One UI 6.0 could launch at Samsung Developer Conference 2023 later this year.
//February 8
- Google could release the Stable update to Pixel smartphones by the end of July this year.
Android 14 Features List
- Predictive back gesture
- Vibrant “Basic colours” in Color Palette
- Apps installed in the background
- Fast Pair
- Integrated Health Connect
- Prevention to install old apps
- Tweaked “Security & privacy” section
- Battery Saver UI
- Screen time in Battery usage section
- Taskbar text labels on larger displays
- Advanced memory protection
- Hearing devices
- One UI-inspired Cloned Apps
Features as of Developer Preview 1 for Google phones, source.
Samsung Android 14 Eligible Devices
Galaxy Z series
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 (2nd)
- Galaxy Z Flip 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 3 (3rd)
- Galaxy Z Flip 3
Galaxy S series
- Galaxy S23 Ultra (1st)
- Galaxy S23+
- Galaxy S23
- Galaxy S22 Ultra (2nd)
- Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy S22
- Galaxy S21 FE (2nd)
- Galaxy S21 Ultra (3rd)
- Galaxy S21+
- Galaxy S21
Galaxy A series
- Galaxy A14 (1st)
- Galaxy A04s
- Galaxy A73 (2nd)
- Galaxy A53 (2nd)
- Galaxy A33
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A72 (3rd)
- Galaxy A52s 5G (3rd)
- Galaxy A52 LTE/5G (3rd)
Galaxy M series
- Galaxy M53 5G
- Galaxy M33 5G
- Galaxy M23
Galaxy Tab series
- Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Galaxy Tab S8+
- Galaxy Tab S8
This is not an official One UI 6 device list.