19 Feb, 2026

New Android malware uses AI to click on hidden browser ads

A new family of Android click-fraud trojans leverages TensorFlow machine learning models to automatically detect and interact with specific advertisement elements. The mechanism relies on visual analysis based on machine learning instead of predefined JavaScript click routines, and does not involve script-based DOM-level interaction like classic click-fraud trojans. The threat actor is using TensorFlow.js, an open-source […]

3 mins read

Google confirms Android bug causing volume key issues

Google has confirmed a software bug that is preventing volume buttons from working correctly on Android devices with accessibility features enabled. According to a support document published today, user reports indicate that volume keys malfunction when” Select to Speak” is activated on their Android devices. Select to Speak is an Android accessibility service that reads text […]

1 min read

Microsoft is retiring the Lens scanner app for iOS, Android

Microsoft has started retiring the Microsoft Lens PDF scanner app for Android and iOS devices on Friday, January 9th, with plans to remove it from app stores next month. Microsoft Lens (previously known as Office Lens) can scan both printed and handwritten text and help users convert images into PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents. […]

2 mins read

Cellik Android malware builds malicious versions from Google Play apps

A new Android malware-as-a-service (MaaS) named Cellik is being advertised on underground cybercrime forums offering a robust set of capabilities that include the option to embed it in any app available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, attackers can select apps from Android’s official app store and create trojanized versions that appear trustworthy and keep the […]

2 mins read

Google expands Android scam protection feature to Chase, Cash App in U.S.

Google is expanding support for its Android’s in-call scam protection to multiple banks and financial applications in the United States. The announcement specifically mentions the addition of fintech app Cash App, which has 57 million users, and the JPMorganChase mobile banking app, which has more than 50 million downloads on Google Play. In-call scam protection is a new feature […]

2 mins read

Google to flag Android apps with excessive battery use on the Play Store

Google will start taking action on Android apps in the official Google Play store that have high background activity and cause excessive battery draining. Apps that exceed a “bad behavior threshold” may be flagged on Google Play for negatively impacting battery performance and may affect their visibility in the Android ecosystem. Developers have until March 1, 2026, […]

3 mins read

Google backpedals on new Android developer registration rules

Google is backpedaling on its decision to introduce new identity verification rules for all developers, stating that it will also introduce accounts for limited app distribution and will allow users to install apps from unverified devs. As announced in August, Google was planning to introduce what it called “Developer Verification” starting in 2026 to block malware […]

2 mins read

Google to verify all Android devs to block malware on Google Play

Google is introducing a new defense for Android called ‘Developer Verification’ to block malware installations from sideloaded apps sourced from outside the official Google Play app store. For apps on Google Play, there was already a requirement for publishers to provide a D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number, introduced on August 31, 2023. Google says this has had a notable […]

2 mins read

ERMAC Android malware source code leak exposes banking trojan infrastructure

The source code for version 3 of the ERMAC Android banking trojan has been leaked online, exposing the internals of the malware-as-a-service platform and the operator’s infrastructure. The code base was discovered in an open directory by Hunt.io researchers while scanning for exposed resources in March 2024. They located an archive named Ermac 3.0.zip, which contained the malware’s code, including backend, […]

3 mins read

Microsoft will kill the Lens PDF scanner app for iOS, Android

Microsoft announced that it will phase out the Microsoft Lens PDF scanner app for Android and iOS devices starting in September. Microsoft Lens (formerly known as Office Lens) can convert images into PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, and it is capable of scanning both printed and handwritten text. Currently, the app has been downloaded 50 million […]

2 mins read