Symantec detects a first ransomware on Android

Symantec has discovered an early version of ransomware (which requires a ransom to the user) on Android devices. This gives an indication of the willingness of criminals to target more mobile with this type of malware.

A fake antivirus called Fakedefender is the first ransomware discovered by Symantec on mobile devices. This malware targeting Android was found earlier this month among several applications on an English store this in several countries including the United States. The application is not available on Google Play. The ransomware has been downloaded only a hundred times, so that the level of infection is very low, said Vikram Thakur, a researcher from Symantec Security Response. Fakedefender is an application that pretends to find malware on the terminal and ask the victim to purchase a premium version to remove. This method has been used against PC users there a few years, but this is the first time on mobile.

Given the immaturity of malware, it is unlikely that the authors believed to be of Russian origin, aimed at a wide dissemination. "The developers of this fake antivirus are still pretty young to be compatible with all Android platforms they intend to target," says the researcher. Fakedefender is still work because the malware can steal personal information and does not connect to a site to pay for the premium version. The reason for this perplexing immaturity responsible Symantec: either the authors have published for testing or when the ransomware was launched by mistake.

Remove malware hand or a hard reset

Today, this application can be particularly annoying to the user. Because of its instability, the malware can cause crashes or Android can lock the smartphone. "Even in its current form, it is quite malicious to cause migraines in people who are infected," said Vikram Thakur. To remove this application, there are two options: either to connect the smartphone to the computer and remove the software manually, or do a hard reset to restore the device to factory settings.

Symantec estimates that the number of this type of fake antivirus is low compared to other malware. However, the publisher states that this application will progress because they are very lucrative for cybercriminals. "The numbers are not going to be as high as on the PC, but we expect that it becomes a major problem when people have been infected or know someone who was," admits Vikram Takhur. The Android platform is particularly targeted because the openness and diversity of application stores make it a prime target.

Lenovo launches a Windows 8 tablet to 500$

Miix called the Windows 8 tablet with detachable keyboard Lenovo will be available in the summer of 2013 for  500$ before tax. The manufacturer has also announced the release of five touch PCs with Microsoft operating system.

Lenovo will launch another Windows 8 tablet with a removable keyboard and five laptops touch. These should be sold on the world market between July and August. Miix called the shelf Chinese manufacturer will have a 10-inch screen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 dpi and integrate a dual-core chip Intel Atom. As its name suggests, this device will combine the functionality of a PC and those of a tablet. Version with a detachable keypad is available as an option.

In terms of prices, the price of the tablet Miix start at  500$ before tax. Promising 10 hours, this model will have 64GB of storage space and will come with a micro-SD slot for a possible memory expansion up to 32GB It boasts 10 millimeters thick and weighs 550 grams.

The Miix is ​​the latest platform multimode Lenovo has released many terminals can go from laptop to tablet. The CEO of the firm expects that the convertible PC gaining popularity face tablets focused on entertainment, over time. However, so far the devices in Windows 8 have not been a large number of applications on the market.

Prices ranging between 430 and 900 dollars

 

Thursday, Lenovo also unveiled five laptops touch Windows 8 which start at prices ranging from 430 to 900 dollars HT. Three of these models are part of the IdeaPad series and are led by the former third-generation Intel Core processors. The Touch S210, whose price starts at $ 439 HT incorporates a chip Core i3 and has a 11.6-inch HD screen. Touch the S400 and S500 have respectively slabs HD 15.6 inch of14 inches and can incorporate an optional Core i5 processors and graphics cards.

The S400 and S500 are available from  450$ and  600$ HT The three models in the S series are 20 mm thick and weighs 1.4 kg. The other two versions of the IdeaPad U Series offer more power and could be labeled Intel Ultrabook. The U330 and U430 Touch are 19.5mm thick and are driven by the latest 4th generation Core processor from Intel. The U330 comes with a 13.3-inch display, while the U430 is 14 inch.

Both phones are available in different configurations and may include Core i7 processors, and Nvidia GeForce display a definition 1080 dpi graphics cards. The price of the U330 starts at  800$ HT, that the U430 starts at  900$ HT

Microsoft offers bonuses to combat piracy of Windows 8.1

As part of a program to test the strength of Windows and Internet Explorer to piracy, Microsoft offers rewards of up to 100 000$ to find a technique that really new attack.

Microsoft U.S. computer group announced Wednesday offer bonuses of up to  100 000$ for those that are received in a "truly original" to hack the latest version of its Windows software. "For the first time, Microsoft will offer cash bonuses to those who report us some vulnerabilities and ways to exploit" the software inappropriately, "Microsoft said on its official blog.

The rewards program will start on June 26, the day of the release of a slightly modified version of   Windows 8.1 called  (previously known as the Windows code Blue) software. Three categories were selected: up to 100,000 dollars for really new techniques targeting Windows 8.1, 50 000 for methods to protect against hacking and for one month, 11 000$ for those would discover vulnerabilities in the version of Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1.