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Your Android phone could have stalkerware. Here's how to remove it
AppWizard
February 20, 2025

Your Android phone could have stalkerware. Here’s how to remove it

Consumer-grade spyware applications, often referred to as "stalkerware" or "spouseware," pose significant risks to Android users by monitoring private messages, photos, phone calls, and real-time locations without consent. These apps are typically downloaded from outside the Google Play Store and can be stealthily installed, often disappearing from the home screen. Stalkerware exploits legitimate Android features, leading to unusual phone behavior such as excessive heat, sluggish performance, or unexpected data usage. To address spyware, users should establish a safety plan and trusted support before attempting removal, as this could alert the installer. Google Play Protect should be enabled to scan for harmful apps. Users should check for unfamiliar apps in accessibility services, review notification access for third-party applications, and inspect device admin app settings for unrecognized applications. Even hidden stalkerware apps will appear in the list of installed applications, which can be accessed through the settings menu. Strengthening device security, such as enhancing lock screen passwords and using two-factor authentication, is recommended. Resources for support include the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Coalition Against Stalkerware.
Android 16 will fight scammers by blocking certain features during phone calls
AppWizard
February 14, 2025

Android 16 will fight scammers by blocking certain features during phone calls

Google is developing a new security feature for Android 16 that will block changes to sensitive settings during phone calls to protect users from phone scams. This feature will prevent users from enabling sideloading permissions and granting accessibility access while on a call. A warning message will be displayed if users attempt to make such changes, informing them that these actions are prohibited during calls. The sideloading permission is disabled by default, but users can enable it through settings, except for those with Advanced Protection Mode activated. These security features are expected to be included in the public release of Android 16 later this year.
Remove These 12 Android Apps Now—They’re Secretly Capturing Your Conversations
AppWizard
February 4, 2025

Remove These 12 Android Apps Now—They’re Secretly Capturing Your Conversations

Some Android applications are covertly monitoring conversations and collecting personal data without user consent. Cybersecurity firm ESET identified six malicious apps on Google Play and another six on third-party app stores that disguise themselves as legitimate messaging platforms. These apps harvest data such as text messages, call logs, and recorded conversations. Hackers also employ tactics like creating fake romantic connections to persuade victims to download infected apps, such as those containing the VajraSpy Trojan, which records conversations and accesses personal files. Three groups of dangerous apps include: 1. Messaging apps disguised as secure platforms (e.g., Hello Chat, MeetMe, Chit Chat) that steal contact information and SMS messages. 2. Apps exploiting accessibility features (e.g., Wave Chat) that can intercept messages and record phone calls. 3. A fake news app that seeks access to personal data without messaging capabilities. A list of malicious apps includes: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Chat, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. Six of these apps were downloaded over 1,400 times each before being removed from Google Play. To protect privacy, users are advised to uninstall suspicious apps, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, run security scans, and stay informed about cybersecurity threats.
Google can now auto-disable permissions from risky Android apps
AppWizard
February 3, 2025

Google can now auto-disable permissions from risky Android apps

Google Play Protect is enhancing security for Android devices by automatically disabling app permissions for potentially harmful applications, preventing access to sensitive information. Users can restore permissions but must confirm their decision, promoting caution. Play Protect scans all apps, including sideloaded ones, and blocks harmful applications based on threat levels, scanning over 200 billion apps daily. It also prevents users from disabling Play Protect during phone and video calls to combat social engineering scams. In 2024, Google blocked 2.36 million policy-violating apps and banned over 158,000 fraudulent developer accounts, introduced live threat detection for Pixel devices, and launched a verification badge for trustworthy VPNs.
Unofficial Windows on Lumia gains GPU acceleration to x86 apps
Winsage
February 3, 2025

Unofficial Windows on Lumia gains GPU acceleration to x86 apps

The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, discontinued two years after their launch as flagship smartphones featuring Windows Mobile, have been revived by hackers and developers who installed alternative operating systems, including Android and desktop versions of Windows 10 and 11. The Lumia WOA Project has optimized these devices for modern use, with the release of Lumia Drivers BSP Version 2502.03 on February 1, 2025, which introduced support for hardware-accelerated graphics for x86 applications on the ARM-based smartphones. This update allows DirectX 11 compatible applications to utilize the Lumia 950's Qualcomm Adreno 418 GPU and the 950 XL's Adreno 430 GPU. Prior to this, the devices only supported hardware-accelerated graphics for apps compiled for ARM architectures. While the mobile GPUs were impressive in 2015, they are not cutting-edge in 2025, and users should manage their expectations for performance in gaming or demanding graphics applications. The update is expected to enhance graphics performance and improve energy efficiency by allowing the GPU to handle tasks that would otherwise burden the CPU. The Lumia WOA Project is an unofficial effort by volunteer developers, and some hardware features, such as cameras and messaging functions, may not be fully supported.
Microsoft kills a handy Windows 11 feature that allowed quick calls or event creation
Winsage
December 12, 2024

Microsoft kills a handy Windows 11 feature that allowed quick calls or event creation

Microsoft has deprecated the "Suggested actions" feature in Windows 11, which was introduced in May 2022 as part of build 25115. This feature allowed Windows 11 to recognize phone numbers and dates to provide shortcuts for tasks like making calls or scheduling events. Microsoft announced that "Suggested actions" will be removed in a future update, although a specific timeline for this removal is not provided. Other recently deprecated features include Android app support, Paint 3D, Windows Speech Recognition, the Tips app, Steps Recorder, and WordPad.
Android 15’s first major update has arrived
AppWizard
December 5, 2024

Android 15’s first major update has arrived

New features are being introduced to Android phones and Pixel devices, including: - Expressive Captions: Descriptive video captions that include annotations for non-verbal moments, such as [gasp] or [applause]. - Lookout App Enhancements: The Lookout app will now feature the Gemini 1.5 model for more detailed audio descriptions of photos and objects for users with low vision or blindness. - Gemini Assistant Expansions: New extensions for Gemini Assistant, including a Spotify extension for music playback and a Utilities extension for performing tasks like making calls and sending emails. - Pixel 9 Features: The call screening feature now includes contextual reply suggestions, and the Screenshots app allows users to save searches made with the Circle to Search feature and suggests search phrases based on saved screenshots. - Updates for Previous Pixel Models: Features like Identity Check for additional security are rolling out for Pixel 6 and newer devices. - Compatibility: The updates are not linked to Android 15 and are supported by various earlier Android versions.
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