Ransomware Protection in Android Nougat (Google Android Security)

[Ink]

Google Android Security: How we stop fraudulent apps from holding you ransom

Recently we shared our 2016 Android Security Year in Review, which looks at how we protect Android users and their data. Today, we're taking a closer look at how we shield people from a rare—but particularly disruptive—potentially harmful app (PHA) known as ransomware. We’ve long had protections from ransomware in Android, and we added new ones in Nougat as well.

Ransomware is a type of app that restricts access to your device until a sum of money is paid. Ransomware usually presents itself in one of two forms: apps that restrict access to your device and then demand payment to regain access to the device, or apps that encrypt data on the device’s external storage (such as an SD card) and then demand payment to decrypt your data. To make the scam more convincing, fraudsters sometimes pretend to be from a credible law enforcement agency and accuse you of doing something illegal so you’re more likely to pay.

Ransomware protections in Android Nougat
With the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, we added to existing defenses against ransomware, and also made some changes to address some of the newer tactics of ransomware scams. Here are a few examples:

• Safety blinders: Apps can no longer see which other apps are active. That means scammy ones can’t see what other apps are doing—and can’t inform their attacks based on activity.
  
• Even stronger locks: If you set a lockscreen PIN prior to installing ransomware, ransomware can’t misuse your device’s permissions to change your PIN and lock you out.
  
• Whacking clickjacking: “Clickjacking” tricks people into clicking something, often by obscuring permission dialogs behind other windows. You’re now protected from ransomware attacks that use this tactic to sneakily gain control of a device.

More Information at Source: How we stop fraudulent apps from holding you ransom
Related topic: Verify Apps: Protection against Potentially Harmful Apps (Google Android Security)

 

[Amelith Nargothrond]

Google Android Security: How we stop fraudulent apps from holding you ransom

Ransomware protections in Android Nougat
With the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, we added to existing defenses against ransomware, and also made some changes to address some of the newer tactics of ransomware scams. Here are a few examples:

• Safety blinders: Apps can no longer see which other apps are active. That means scammy ones can’t see what other apps are doing—and can’t inform their attacks based on activity.
  
• Even stronger locks: If you set a lockscreen PIN prior to installing ransomware, ransomware can’t misuse your device’s permissions to change your PIN and lock you out.
  
• Whacking clickjacking: “Clickjacking” tricks people into clicking something, often by obscuring permission dialogs behind other windows. You’re now protected from ransomware attacks that use this tactic to sneakily gain control of a device.

More Information at Source: How we stop fraudulent apps from holding you ransom
Related topic: Google - Android Security; How Verify Apps protects you against Potentially Harmful Apps

Great news ahead! If you have a device that will get upgraded to Nougat

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

I have an HTC Nexus 9 running Android 7.1.1 with Bitdefender security. I also got DR.WEB Security Space(lifetime subscription)what shall i pick of these two programs, please help.

 

[Amelith Nargothrond]

I have an HTC Nexus 9 running Android 7.1.1 with Bitdefender security. I also got DR.WEB Security Space(lifetime subscription)what shall i pick of these two programs, please help.

I somehow trust BitDefender more. But that's just me

 

[Ink]

I have an HTC Nexus 9 running Android 7.1.1 with Bitdefender security. I also got DR.WEB Security Space(lifetime subscription)what shall i pick of these two programs, please help.

Dr. Web Security Spaces appears to offer more features, but you can decide what you need or not.

• Dr.Web Security Space - Android Apps on Google Play
• Mobile Security & Antivirus - Android Apps on Google Play