Researcher says flaw in Android creates phone risk

My Fox Spokane Biz
Researcher says flaw in Android creates phone risk

By RICHARD LARDNERAssociated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A security researcher says cell phones equipped with Google's Android operating system are at risk of being disabled or wiped clean of their data, including contacts, music, and photos.

Opening a link to a web site or application embedded with malicious code can trigger an attack capable of destroying the memory card in Android-equipped handsets made by Samsung, HTC, Motorola and Sony Ericsson. That from Ravi Borgaonkar (BOR-gahn-car) of Germany's Technical University Berlin. He wrote that another code that can erase a user's data appears to target only the top selling Galaxy S III and other Samsung phones.

Borgaonkar says he informed Google of the vulnerability in June. A fix was issued quickly, he says, but it wasn't publicized, leaving manyphone owners unaware the problem existed.

Google declined to comment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

Obama To Visit Tornado-Ravaged OK Town

Obama To Visit Tornado-Ravaged OK Town
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama will travel to tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla., on Sunday.    That's according to a White House official, who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the trip ahead of the official announcement and requested anonymity.    A

I-5 bridge collapses in NW Wash.; people in water

I-5 bridge collapses in NW Wash.; people in water
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water, the Washington State Patrol said. The four-lane bridge collapsed about 7 p.m., Trooper Mark Francis said. Francis said he had no immediate

I-5 Skagit River Bridge Collapses; People, Vehicles In Water

I-5 Skagit River Bridge Collapses; People, Vehicles In Water
UPDATE: MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - Washington state authorities say no fatalities in Interstate 5 bridge collapse. **PREVIOUS COVERAGE**