Google Play Store Becomes Infiltrated By Popular Android Apps Who Drain Users’ Battery By Loading Ads When Screens Are Off

One of the most annoying things related to smartphone usage is being bombarded with apps that are designed to drain your device’s battery.

Recently, the Google Play Store was bombarded by a whopping 43 different Android apps that had nearly 2.5 million downloads. They were the ones who allowed ad downloading while the user’s screen was turned off and that ultimately led to their device’s battery falling to a new low.

The research team at McAfee was the first to report the alarming behavior and how the malware-filled apps on Android were wreaking havoc as more and more users complained to Google about the behavior.

This was a clear violation of the policies on the Play Store, they added and thankfully, the Android maker was quick to act and get rid of the platforms through the official store that belongs to Android.

These apps were mostly used for media streams and for news purposes. And the respective target audience was outlined as being Korean. But that does not mean such kinds of deceptive behavior couldn’t be applicable to a range of other top domains and reach out to demographics that were more diverse in nature.

While such apps are deemed to be a source of adware, they’re continuing to be a major risk to all kinds of users as they pave the way to a number of profiling risks. Similarly, they drain batteries and make the most of a huge chunk of internet data as well while giving rise to more fraud cases that may be filed against the respective advertisers.

The report by the top security firm claims that adware of this kind was disguised throughout Google Play platforms which ended up impersonating a long list of apps such as Music Downloader, Calendar, TV Player, News, and so many more similar categories.

After it gets downloaded, the adware applications would allow for a delay of a few weeks, right before it further went on to activate more advertising-fraudulent endeavors which are designed to deceive so many users and prevent detection through reviewers on the platform.

McAfee added how the configuration can actually end up getting changed further and updated by Messaging or other means so that operators may adjust the exact time taken for dormancy to occur, alongside the other factors.

The Android software makes use of another feature that helps to prevent the battery from draining and puts apps in sleep or standby mode, whenever you’re not using the device. Hence, no programs run in the background and it won’t be making use of any memory, CPU, and other network features.

When the adware apps get downloaded, you’ll see more users include them as a part of Android’s system for power saving. This would ensure the malicious platforms continue to run well in backgrounds.

With such an exclusion, the platforms would be allowed to get and load ads, even if the screen for a smartphone is switched off. As a result, it produces more revenue and gives users no way to comprehend what’s taking place.

The security firm added how it could be enabled in a manner that gives the phone’s user the chance to look over any loaded ads, whenever the screen’s device switches on, right before it gets shut automatically.

One of the biggest indicators linked to compromise has to do with letting go of your battery as it really does drain it to a severe extent, even when the device isn’t being used.

Read next: Is Google Still the Best Source of Information?
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

New Alert Issued As AI Can Now Decode Users’ Keystrokes While Typing Sensitive Data During Calls

If you happen to engage in multitasking during a conference call, this next research is a signal related to why you should think twice before typing on your keyboard.

A new report is speaking about researchers based in the UK carrying out a successful training session on AI which involves decoding keystrokes while engaging in conference calls. This means AI can really see what you are busy typing, without any form of screen, monitor, or display being in the spotlight.

The only catch is that your microphone should be on, and that’s it!

It’s as dangerous as it sounds and that’s why the news has alarm bells ringing because experts feel having AI be trained to such an expert is just mind-blowing and hence, it can really prove to be a major security threat as hackers can exploit the data in various means.

Furthermore, the research has gone on to delineate how people who tend to hide their monitors while typing or their keyboards can further add a new element of worry to their long list when putting in passwords. After all, nobody goes to the extent of muting or disturbing the sounds heard on any keyboard.

Remember, AI has the great capability to capture and record and retain such sounds on any computer device, no matter how sensitive it may be. And as per the research that was published, the AI received a whopping training accuracy of 93% when it was recorded through a Zoom app and that was further increased to 95% when recorded through a nearby mobile device.

Further reports spoke about cases where the AI failed to pick up the sounds of typing accurately. But even then it was seen as being off by a single key and that made it simpler for hackers to work around the errors and receive the data.

But for all of this to take place, the AI needs to receive adequate training and that means attackers would be required to attain keystrokes from a victim via some kind of sound device like a microphone or through a mobile that has malware infected into it.

In this particular research conducted in the UK, the devices in question included a MacBook Pro and a mini variant of iPhone 13. After that, we saw the researchers press every key situated on a computer at least 25 different times. It then recorded those sounds related to every keypress on a device and that happened to be nearly 6.5 in away.

The news is raising eyebrows for obvious reasons and users want to know what it is that they can do to stay more guarded or keep their devices and data protected. And the answer is simple. Researchers are sending out recommendations regarding changes in typing styles while putting in sensitive data on a device during a call. Similarly, you can use audio filters found on software designed for keystrokes that play in the back while you carry on with your work. This would assist in disguising the sounds of your typing to a great extent.

Read next: A Growing Threat: How AI Poses Risks to Cybersecurity in 2023
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Facebook's Wallet Gets Slimmer: Norway Cracks Privacy Whip

Oh, Facebook, it seems like the privacy police have come knocking at your digital door, and they've brought a hefty fine along for the party! Norway's data protection authority, Datatilsynet - don't worry, you're not the only one scratching your head at the name - has just slammed the door on Meta Platforms, Facebook's parent company.

Consider this: Datatilsynet donned its detective hat and discovered that Meta Platforms had engaged in some privacy espionage. They discovered Meta was engaging in a nefarious game of "follow the user" - that is, tracking where you go and what you do. They even captured Meta utilizing that data to fire advertisements at you, much like those annoying carnival games that always seem difficult to win.

This high-tech game of hide and seek did not sit well with Datatilsynet. "Hey, stop messing with people's privacy!" they yelled, pointing a sharp finger at Meta. But Meta didn't seem to receive the memo. As a result, Norway stepped up the heat and decided to punish Meta with 1 million crowns every day beginning August 14th.

"Wait, how much is that in real money?" you may be wondering. It's around $98,500 every day. Imagine spending that much money every day just for being caught poking around in someone's digital journal.

However, the story thickens! Datatilsynet isn't simply being a bad policeman in this situation. They gave Meta till August 4th to set things right. They said, "Hey, fix your privacy mess, or the fines start rolling!" Unfortunately for Meta, it seems like they didn't quite manage to clean up their act in time.

This is where the plot takes a turn. Datatilsynet is organizing a European spectacular, not simply a local celebration. If they decide to bring in the heavy guns, commonly known as the European Data Protection Board, the fine may spread over the entire continent like wildfire.

Meta attempted some damage management by declaring that they will seek consent from European users before turning their data into a target for adverts. Datatilsynet, on the other hand, was unimpressed. "Nice try, but that's not enough," they effectively stated. Stop the data celebration right now!"

Meta seemed to be in a predicament. They're suggesting it could take a few months to iron out their privacy problem, which isn't good enough for Datatilsynet. They're raising a privacy flag and yelling, "People's rights are being violated every single day!"

So there you have it - Facebook's elegant parent firm Meta is in serious water in Norway, and the privacy cops aren't letting up. Will Meta clean up its behaviour and avoid the daily penalty, or will this digital drama play out? Keep an eye out for the next instalment in the realm of internet privacy disputes!

Read next: Meta Tries to Battle TikTok for Gen Z With Threads
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

WhatsApp Beta Features For Android Version 2.23.16.19 - What the Latest Update Offers

Google Play Beta Program is offering a brand new WhatsApp update, upgrading the version to 2.23.16.19. In the new upgraded version, WhatsApp introduces a new feature called voice chats, allowing users to communicate in groups. The feature is only accessible to a few selected beta testers.

After developing audio chats, a new feature, WhatsApp has decided to distribute this new one amongst a few users so that they can test it out themselves.

This new feature provides users with a novel way to start voice calls. Audio chats, or as WhatsApp calls it, voice chat, has impressive features that the new version has let us know about.

WhatsApp added a new waveform icon that will indicate the user's voice, which they can only view in a group chat, given that the account has this feature authorized and that it is in sync with the specific group. The voice chat immediately starts upon tapping the icon, opening up an exclusive interface.

Group chat members can easily join the voice chat whenever they want to begin communicating. The voice chat ends after an hour of inactivity if nobody in the group interacts with it.

However, users can initiate another voice chat whenever they want.

Voice chats are only available to specific group chats. The feature only allows a total limit of 32 members to join each voice chat. However, the feature will be accessible to group chats with more than 32 participants.

However, it is important to take note of the fact that this setup might differ based on individual user preferences or settings.

The biggest advantage that the new feature offers users is that they can now easily start a call without sending each group member a ringing notification. However, whenever a user starts a new voice chat, WhatsApp will send each group member a silent background notification, altering them that the voice chat is active. Within the chat list, the group icon will showcase a tiny thumbnail indicating an enabled voice chat.

The great news is that end-to-end encryption also protects voice chats, guaranteeing users with an added layer of security that it will just be the members in the voice chat who can hear and be a part of the communication. Not even WhatsApp can hear what each voice chat contains.

The feature is strictly accessible to a few members who have installed WhatsApp beta from the Google Play Store for Android Updates. However, in the upcoming days, the feature will be available after distributing it to many users. Furthermore, as this may become a wider release, users of the stable version of WhatsApp may also be able to test out the new feature once it’s out.

Read next: WhatsApp's Download Drama: A Rollercoaster Ride for Meta's Messenger
by Ahmed Naeem via Digital Information World

Meta Tries to Battle TikTok for Gen Z With Threads

Facebook used to be the social media platform that all of the youngsters of the world flocked to in droves, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, it has lost much of that status in the present day. Apps like TikTok are fast becoming the go to social media platforms for Gen Z, and Facebook’s parent company Meta has been desperately trying to claw back some of its pull with the younger crowd.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Threads might be Meta’s latest weapon in the fight against TikTok. While it might be seen as a direct competitor to Twitter, it is actually Meta’s attempts to re-enter the so called cultural zeitgeist by creating a platform that members of younger generations would actually want to use.

It turns out that Threads lost half of its 100 million users just a couple weeks after its launch date. This seems to suggest that the platform is already running out of steam, but Meta is not planning to monetize it until it is on a clear and set trajectory towards the billion user mark. Such a move could prove useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making the platform more enticing to users than might have been the case otherwise.

However, a major issue here is that the majority of Gen Z users aren’t on Threads with all things having been considered and taken into account. 67.1% of US based Gen Z survey respondents stated that they do not currently have a Threads account. 25.4% went so far as to say that they hadn’t even heard of it.

Meanwhile, Reels is already providing TikTok with stiff competition. It earned $10 billion compared to TikTok’s $9.9 billion, so Meta might be better off focusing on this Instagram feature if it wants to compete with TikTok. Of course, the battle is not just for money but for cultural prominence, and Reels have been unsuccessful on that front so far.

H/T: Insider Intelligence

Read next: WhatsApp's Download Drama: A Rollercoaster Ride for Meta's Messenger
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

From Mundane to Memorable: Microsoft Edge's Rewriting Revolution with Bing AI

Microsoft has devised a clever idea in a future where words have the ability to mold destiny and memes rule supreme. According to Bing AI, prepare to say goodbye to dull words and hello to the start of a rewriting revolution. Hold on to your Ctrl keys because the SwiftKey app's ability to modify text has finally made its way to Microsoft Edge for desktops!

A few months ago, a whisper in the internet breezes brought word of the SwiftKey keyboard app's newfound skill. It could produce letters in a variety of styles with a swish of its virtual pen, all due to the enigmatic Bing AI. But dear reader, the story takes a twist, as the same enchantment is destined for Microsoft Edge, that trusty browser we all know and tolerate.

An intrepid investigator, @Leopeva64, discovered a gleaming treasure in the Microsoft Edge Canary updates. A feature, indeed, a superpower, was spreading its wings: the ability to rewrite text with the flick of an Alt + I keyboard shortcut. Consider this: you locate a line of text, an unfit candidate for linguistic history, and summon a popup window with a wave of your hand. Inside, a wonderful Bing AI creation, a tapestry of words stitched with brilliance, awaits.

This mysterious window displays not just text but also buttons - possibilities to alter, edit, or restart with a new version. Like SwiftKey's oracle, Edge allows you to modify the outcome to your preferences. Are you looking for professional eloquence, casual charm, exclamations of joy, or informal banter? Don't worry, dear netizen; the powers of Edge have it all. Choose the format of your text: paragraph, email, blog post, or idea repository. You can choose between short, medium, and long if the length is important to you.

With a heart full of expectancy, click "Rewrite," and your words are resurrected, dressed in AI's newfound grace. But take note, my readers: this is no ordinary incident. It creeps in via the Canary Channel's gates, a zone protected for digital insiders. It's an A/B symphony of fate, with some selected and others awaiting their fate.

Yet, our tale does not end here. Another path awaits those brave people living in Edge Dev's realm. Highlight your ideal phrases, then right-click for the coveted "Ask Bing AI" option. A portal to the Bing realm swings wide, revealing a plethora of buttons: explain, revise, or extend; the option is yours.

And don't forget, the era of darkness has arrived in the world of Bing and Bing Chat. Dark mode fans, rejoice: this fresh elegance has arrived on your desktop. And the vast gates of Bing Chat have swung open, enabling even non-believers in Edge, whether they walk the pathways of Chrome or Safari, to bask in its grandeur.

As the digital winds whisper tales of AI and rewriting magic, keep in mind that in the world of Microsoft Edge, words are threads that create a tapestry of whimsy, wit, and untapped possibilities.

Read next: Is Google Still the Best Source of Information?
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

X Blue Upgrades to X Premium: The Epic Saga of Hashtags and High-Fives!

Once upon a time, in the digital world of Xville, something exciting happened on the virtual streets. A well-known news site, X News Daily, tweeted huge news that everyone was talking.

According to the tweet, X Blue was evolving into something much cooler, dubbed X Premium! Imagine your favorite superhero getting an update with new abilities - that's exactly what was going on here. X Blue was bidding farewell and becoming X Premium. It wasn't simply a name change, though; it was like receiving a golden ticket to a world of greatness.

With the transition came a new handle for X Premium: @premium. It's like moving into a really great house with a completely different address. But it wasn't the entire story.

The tweet spilled the beans on all the incredible things you could get with this X Premium membership.

They began by discussing the blue check mark. It's like a badge of pride that proves you're the real deal. It's similar to being a superhero with your own unique logo. Then they said something really interesting - new features! Consider providing the ability to modify your posts after they've been shared. Oops, did I make a mistake? No problem, just repair it.

Hold on to your hats, for there's more to come! X Premium enabled the option to share lengthy videos. There's no need to worry about cramming everything into a short video. In a full-length film, you could now show off your holiday exploits and dancing routines or even teach folks how to cook the ideal sandwich.

But wait, there's more! X Premium also granted you the wonderful ability of lengthier postings - up to 25,000 characters! It's as if you had an endless scroll of your thoughts and tales. You may write about your whole day and dreams or even start creating your own book one post at a time.

That's not all, people. The message also highlighted bookmark folders, which are quite organized. It's like having a magical bookshelf where you can neatly save all of your favorite posts. No more endlessly scrolling through pages to find that one fantastic post you saw decades ago.

As with any major announcement, not everyone was totally convinced of the transformation. Some people were eager to see what X Premium had in store for them. They were so excited they couldn't help but share a quick "lol can't wait" tweet. It's like being in line for a roller coaster and knowing the ride is going to be awesome.

• Also read: Clash of the Titans: Zuckerberg vs. Musk Cage Match Hype Reaches New Heights

But, of course, there's always that one person who is doubtful. They highlighted Elon Musk, a tremendously clever man who achieves amazing things with technology. They joked that he could be attempting to make everyone's life more fascinating by upsetting things.

Then there was a hilarious tweet regarding credit card bills. People are sometimes concerned about how items seem on their credit card statements. They joked that seeing "X Premium" could cause some people to scratch their heads. Imagine explaining to your parents why there is a fee for what seems to be a high-end automotive item.

Finally, it was dubbed a "de-brand re-brand." It's similar to when a superhero changes costumes yet still saves the day. Sometimes, things change on the outside, but it's the same awesome stuff on the inside.

So that's how X Blue became X Premium and how everyone in Xville was ecstatic about the increased features and possibilities. Like a superhero receiving a makeover, X Premium was poised to take over the digital world one amazing post at a time.

Read next: Musk's Quest for Truth: X Platform Set to Transform Search with AI
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World