Google’s Play Store has removed a cellphone application named Yellow Camera and other similar apps after tech security company Trend Micro warned that the application contained malware/adware that could allow unauthorized microtransactions.
Trend Micro on Oct. 18 posted to its blog a warning about the Yellow Camera app, saying that while it does function as advertised — as a photo or camera beautification app — the malware would allow others access to SMS verification codes and activate wireless application protocol (WAP) billing services.
WAP billing is an alternative payment method for users to buy content from WAP-enabled sites, with users’ phone bills or credits directly charged for the purchase. It does not require registering for services, key-in credentials or a credit or debit card.
Photo: Liu Hui-chin, Taipei Times
The blog post warned that the app, while mainly targeting users in Malaysia and Thailand, has also appeared to target Chinese-speaking users.
While the Google Play Store has already removed the program from its listings, the blog also said that the creators of the program uploaded it to the iOS App Store as well.
The blog said that these tactics are not new, and the process behind the methodology is targeting security protocols as well as systems that mitigate or deter the abuse of device functionality.
It also suggested that users read reviews before downloading software and install security software to prevent malware from affecting their devices.
CARGO LOSS: About 50 containers at the stern of the ‘Ever Lunar’ cargo ship went overboard, prompting the temporary closure of the port and disrupting operations Evergreen Marine Corp, Taiwan’s largest container shipper, yesterday said that all crew members aboard the Ever Lunar (長月) were safe after dozens of containers fell overboard off the coast of Peru the previous day. The incident occurred at 9:40am on Friday as the Ever Lunar was anchored and waiting to enter the Port of Callao when it suddenly experienced severe rolling, Evergreen said in a statement. The rolling, which caused the containers to fall, might have been caused by factors including a tsunami triggered by an earthquake in Russia, poor winter sea conditions in South America or a sudden influx of waves,
The Ministry of Culture yesterday officially launched the “We TAIWAN” cultural program on Osaka’s Nakanoshima sandbank, with the program’s mascot receiving overwhelming popularity. The cultural program, which runs from Aug. 2 to 20, was designed to partner with and capitalize on the 2025 World Expo that is being held in Osaka, Japan, from April 13 to Oct. 13, the ministry said. On the first day of the cultural program, its mascot, a green creature named “a-We,” proved to be extremely popular, as its merch was immediately in high demand. Long lines formed yesterday for the opening
The Taipei Summer Festival is to begin tomorrow at Dadaocheng Wharf (大稻埕), featuring four themed firework shows and five live music performances throughout the month, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said today. The festival in the city’s Datong District (大同) is to run until Aug. 30, holding firework displays on Wednesdays and the final Saturday of the event. The first show is scheduled for tomorrow, followed by Aug. 13, 20 and 30. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Disney Pixar's movie Toy Story, the festival has partnered with Walt Disney Co (Taiwan) to host a special themed area on
BE CAREFUL: The virus rarely causes severe illness or death, but newborns, older people and those with medical conditions are at risk of more severe illness As more than 7,000 cases of chikungunya fever have been reported in China’s Guangdong Province this year, including 2,892 new cases last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday said it is monitoring the situation and considering raising the travel notice level, which might be announced today. The CDC issued a level 1 travel notice, or “watch,” for Guangdong Province on July 22, citing an outbreak in Foshan, a manufacturing hub in the south of the province, that was reported early last month. Between July 27 and Saturday, the province reported 2,892 new cases of chikungunya, reaching a total of 7,716
RSS