Carrier IQ And Adups: Story Of Backdoor Firmware, How To Get Rid Of It?
The recent news about the "Shanghai Adups Technology Co. Ltd" and its backdoor firmware have shaken the country as the budget Android phones with the firmware were sending personal data of the users to China. The phone maker with backdoor firmware controversy "Blu" came up with a statement that it has deleted all the data received from the users. Kryptowire, the mobile enterprise security firm who found the backdoor firmware, however, did not list out all the phones affected.
Kryptowire only mentioned one device and it is BLU R1 HD, a device which was listed on Amazon and other online retailers for around $50. However, Blu came and issued a statement with a list of 6 models that are affected by the backdoor firmware, which are the R1 HD, Neo XL, Studio Touch, Energy Diamond, Energy X Plus 2 and Advance 4.0 L2.
#Backdoor dans firmware des #smartphone ? #AdUps #cybersécurité https://t.co/BtaMNqUF2I https://t.co/c1mSPsyUHk https://t.co/bCvHPBcHr4 pic.twitter.com/G0WbXeTXGP
— Luc SPIGHEL (@LucSpighel) November 16, 2016
In 2011, a similar incident happened in the case of Carrier IQ on tracking the user's location. Now, the situation got more worsened due to more details including text messages been sent to the server in China by the backdoor firmware. Many people believe that Chinese government is behind this mess-up. It is important to know the steps that must be taken to avoid such adverse situations.
Backdoor firmware is difficult to locate by an average user as it is inbuilt. It should be noted that every mobile manufacturer and mobile OS get some sort of data from the user, to refine his needs better. Even many of the apps available in various platforms are found to be accessing the call history, messages etc.
#Chinese company #Shanghai #Adups #Technology #admits it planted #spyware in #mobile #phones https://t.co/JXiMI05tsl via @economictimes #spy — Richard Foley (@rw227) November 18, 2016
The best way to get rid of such backdoor firmware phones is by using Consumer Reports tested phones. Consumer Reports is a non-profit NGO organization set up in 1936 and it tests smartphones and gives ratings. Users can buy the phones according to its ratings and recommendations regarding data security.
Also buy the devices from well-known manufacturers, as they would try to keep their independence to maintain their brand name up. If any budget smartphones are bought, reduce the rate of use to the minimum; use for basic needs including calls etc, considering possible backdoor firmware. Keep in mind that this just the tip of an iceberg as most of the gadgets are coded in a very complicated manner and not easy to trace backdoor firmware.
