A common tactic involves guiding victims over the phone to enable sideloading or accessibility permissions, which allow malicious apps to bypass safeguards and gain control of the device. This feature, currently live in the beta version, prevents enabling permissions like sideloading apps and granting accessibility access, both of which are commonly exploited by scammers. As scams grow more sophisticated with advancements in AI, Google’s new approach marks a significant step toward mitigating risks and empowering users with robust defenses against cyber threats. Accessibility permissions allow apps to read screen content and perform actions on behalf of users—a capability often exploited by malware. Additionally, Android 16 includes broader security enhancements such as protection against intent redirection attacks and improved app compatibility for large-screen devices. A sophisticated cyber threat has emerged in recent weeks, targeting unsuspecting users with fake Outlook troubleshooting calls. Android 16 blocks granting these permissions during calls, further reducing the risk of unauthorized control. This feature extends protections introduced in Android 15, adding more stringent safeguards against unauthorized access to sensitive settings. These scams often involve sending fraudulent SMS messages or inducing urgency through phone calls to trick users into installing malware. While scammers might still instruct victims to hang up and enable permissions later, the added step introduces enough friction to disrupt their tactics. Cyber Security News is a Dedicated News Platform For Cyber News, Cyber Attack News, Hacking News & Vulnerability Analysis. Sideloading, which allows apps to install other apps outside official app stores, is disabled by default for security reasons. Users attempting to bypass these restrictions receive clear warnings about potential scams, encouraging them to verify the legitimacy of the caller. Android Authority reports that the system detects when a call is active, and blocks attempt to modify these critical settings. Gurubaran is a co-founder of Cyber Security News and GBHackers On Security. Android 16 now prevents users from enabling this permission while on a call. This proactive measure introduces friction into the scam process, potentially disrupting the scammer’s flow and giving victims time to reconsider their actions.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:35:09 +0000