Security Blog

  Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team (HKCERT) Coordination Centre cooperates with the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China (CNCERT) 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. CNCERT provides us analyzed result, and we collate the detection result and publish security alerts to the public.   In the report of March, we have downloaded 200 apps from Play Store, where 6 apps have been identified as high risk. None of them were removed from Play Store (on or before 20-Mar). 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: 200 apps Unable to download via the system: 0 apps Downloaded date: 5-March 2015 List of the downloaded apps: "Appendix 1" [download]   Analysis Overview   In this analysis, 200 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 200 scanned apps, 6 apps were identified as security high risk. These 6 Apps were identified with the following high risk behavior signatures Android.Adware.SmsReg, Android.Adware.AirPush, Android.Adware.Kuguo, Android/AdLoad.B.Gen, Android.Trojan.Generic.A, Android.Adware.Dowgin, etc.   List of security high risk apps   Application High risk behavior signature / Ad plug-in Malware detection ratio by VirusTotal Status # 1) 优酷XL高清影视    (v1..1) Category: New Free App Installs: 1,000+ High risk behavior description: obtain SIM operator name, obtain SIM serial number, obtain SIM status, connect to ...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (20 Mar 2015)   "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 years the number of security incidents continued to increase. The Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), which is operated by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), predicted that in 2015 Internet devices, mobile devices and servers would become the...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (13 Mar 2015)   "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...

Mobile devices and Internet applications have penetrated into different walks of life. It has brought immense convenience to businesses and daily life, but at the same time accompanied by information security risks. The Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), which is operated...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (6 Mar 2015)   "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...

March 2015 Issue of Security Newsletter is available now: /my_url/en/newsletter/1503   Cover Story Security Challenges to BitCoin Be aware of Fraudulent Email Hot Topic Hong Kong Google Play Store's Apps Security Risk Report (February 2015) ...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (27 Feb 2015)   "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...

  Favourite Security Reads of the Week (18 Feb 2015)   "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...

    Recently, a Hong Kong based Bitcoin cryptocurrency exchange company collapsed. This news reminded us that the application and trading of cryptocurrency in Hong Kong has emerged. The price of bitcoin had once soared to USD 1,230, attracting a large...