Farm Progress

How to know if your device is affected.

Jessica Michael 1, Blogger

December 23, 2016

2 Min Read
Peter-Roise/Thinkstock

What’s at risk if your email account is hacked? It may not seem like much, but your email account is linked to much more than simple messages and photos, but important documents and sensitive information. Unfortunately, hackers gained access to more than just email with the latest hack – more than 1 million Android smartphones were accessed through malware using Google accounts.

The malware, known as Googlian, emerged late this summer. Googlian infects Android devices after the user downloads an app from a third-party store. Once installed the malware acquires authentication tokens to access data from Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and other Google applications. The goal of the malware is to install applications and rate them highly to generate adware revenue.

It’s important to be careful when installing programs on any of your devices, including your smartphone. The best prevention is paying attention. Avoid downloading applications that aren’t from reputable sources, such as the official Google Play store. Downloading third-party apps put your confidential information at risk.

Do you want to know if your Android device is affected? The good news is that a security vendor, Check Point, created a Googlian checker in response to the breach to help users to determine if their Android device and Google account is associated with a breach related to the malware.

If you find that your device or account is compromised because of this malware, the best thing you can do is to do a clean install of the Android operating system. If you are not comfortable doing this installation yourself, you should speak with your wireless carrier or visit your local retailer to get help.

You will also need to reset any Google passwords associated with your accounts. Google offers instructions to help you to reset your password, and for added security, how to add two-step authentication. Even if your account was not breached, it is a good opportunity to assess your online security and to make changes to strengthen it.

Did your device get infected with Googlian? Tell me about it in the comments below, on Twitter @nerdsquawk or via email at [email protected].

 

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of Farm Futures or Penton Agriculture.

 

About the Author(s)

Jessica Michael 1

Blogger

Jessica Michael is a certified nerd who owns a technology solutions consulting business in Decatur, Ill. She has studied technology and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies and a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Illinois. Do you have a farm office or tech question?  Connect via Twitter @nerdsquawk or e-mail her at [email protected]

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