Watch out of ‘Judy’ New Malware while downloading Apps on Android

There’s a new piece of Android malware on the loose and it’s a doozy. Originally discovered by researchers at Check Point last week, the malware has been dubbed “Judy” and is potentially one of the most widely spread pieces of Android malware we’ve seen to date. It’s currently believed that upwards of 36.5 million Android devices may have already been infected.

According to Check Point, the malware — which is seemingly designed to underhandedly generate ad revenue — was found lurking on 41 separate apps on the Google Play Store and was apparently able to skirt around Google’s Bouncer system. Notably, some of the offending apps have been available for download for years, though at this point it remains unclear if the malware was always present or perhaps inserted later on via a software update.

“The malware uses infected devices to generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it,” the security report reads.

As for how the malware operates, Check Point explains:

Once a user downloads a malicious app, it silently registers receivers which establish a connection with the C&C server. The server replies with the actual malicious payload, which includes JavaScript code, a user-agent string and URLs controlled by the malware author. The malware opens the URLs using the user agent that imitates a PC browser in a hidden webpage and receives a redirection to another website. Once the targeted website is launched, the malware uses the JavaScript code to locate and click on banners from the Google ads infrastructure.

Upon clicking the ads, the malware author receives payment from the website developer, which pays for the illegitimate clicks and traffic.

Notably, Google is aware of the malware campaign and has removed the offending apps from its online store.

As for the perpetrators behind the malware campaign, all we know at this point is that the malicious apps originate from a Korean company that develops apps for both iOS and Android.

Sources : MSN

»»  Continue Reading...

These are The Reason Why Secrets Are Bad For Your Health

Some secrets can be exhilarating — being up for a promotion, dating a colleague — while others can weigh heavy on your shoulders, like having an affair or lying to a loved one. A study from researchers at Columbia Business School studied 13,000 secrets in 10 different studies to look at the effects they have on our health. They found that the most stressful part isn’t in hiding the secret, but in thinking about it, or even obsessing over it. 

In the first three studies, researchers establish the most commonly held secrets and how often people dwell on them or have to conceal them. Unlike previous studies conducted in a lab with undergraduate students, this new undertaking aims to be more representative of the population by enlisting participants of all ages who reported secrets in an anonymous online forum (where they might be more open to sharing).  

Secrets ranged from simple lies to drug addiction and infidelity. Extra relational thoughts (or thinking about someone other than your partner), sexual behaviors, lies and romantic desires were the most common untold secrets. The most common secrets overall, which means they were divulged to at least one person but not everyone, are lies, romantic desires, finances, sexual desire and extra relational thoughts.

Some psychologists believe keeping a secret isn't always bad and is sometimes necessary to prevent causing pain or social exclusion.

The majority of participants were currently hiding about 13 secrets, and over the course of a month, had to conceal them from others about 2.44 times. In comparison, participants spontaneously thought about their secrets without social prompts 4.82 times in a month.

“People anticipate that, once in awhile, they will need to hide their secrets; they do so and move on,” Michael Slepian, study co-author and assistant professor of management at Columbia Business School, says in a statement. “However, people don't expect their secrets to spontaneously pop into their heads when irrelevant to the task or current situation at hand. This seems to be the real downside of having secrets from others.”

The authors note that mind wandering isn’t necessarily negative. Thinking about the good aspects of your relationship can create positive feelings and day dreaming while performing a boring task can be a source of entertainment. But revisiting social rejections, unmet goals or transgressions that elicit guilt can cause unhappiness.

“Secrets exert a gravitational pull on our attention, and it’s the cyclical revisiting of our mistakes that explains the harmful effects that secrets can have on our well-being and relationship satisfaction,” Malia Mason, paper co-author and professor at Columbia Business School, says in a statement. “Along with a diminished sense of well-being and physical health consequences, keeping secrets can also shift a person’s focus from the task at hand to their secrets, which clearly can have a detrimental effect on task performance.

Obsessive thoughts can be hard to break, but it’s not impossible. Clinical psychologist Seth Meyers, Psy.D, writes in Psychology Today that being mindful is the best way to tackle the problem. When you start to obsess, Meyers advises to stop and think about the exact outside temperature, your current body temperature, the sounds that you hear, hunger level on a scale of 1 to 10, and what food you would like to eat. This technique will distract your mind, bring you to the present and allow you to focus on healthier thoughts.  

Souces: MSN

»»  Continue Reading...

Keep Our Family from The 10 Most Dangerous Bugs in this Summer

The 10 Most Dangerous Bugs to Watch Out for This Summer

BLACK WIDOW SPIDER

Some bugs sting, bite, or even carry disease. Learn to recognize these dangerous insects to protect yourself and your family.

Roughly the size of a paper clip and with venom 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s, this hourglass-shaped black spider can be spotted by the red markings on its back. Black Widow spiders can live for 1-3 years in the wild and are often found alone.

TARANTULA SPIDER

With a lifespan of nearly 30 years Tarantula spiders can grow to nearly the size of a personal pizza. Most Tarantulas are afraid of large predators (like humans) but if provoked – watch out! Though their venom isn’t deadly, it’s not pleasant and can cause rashes and pain at the biting point.

AFRICANIZED BEE

Mostly found in the Southern and Southwestern portions of the United States, Africanized Honeybees often travel in swarms to find a new hive. Most do not randomly attacked people or animals unless they feel that their new hive is in danger. If you see a swarm of bees or are near a hive, it’s important to move away from the area quickly.

MOSQUITOES

Throughout the world, more people are killed by mosquito-borne illness than any other factor. In the United States, mosquitoes can spread different types of encephalitis and can transmit heartworms to domestic animals like dogs and cats.

RED FIRE ANTS

About ½ inch long and brought accidentally by ship from South America, the Red Fire Ant is a robust type of ant that can sting. Found on golf courses, at picnic grounds, and at playgrounds, Red Fire Ants are very common.

WASPS

Wasps usually have a slender, shiny body but they can often look like Honeybees. Unlike Honeybees, when wasps sting their victim they do not lose their stinger, allowing them to sting their victim repeatedly.

BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER

Native to the Midwestern and Southern United States, Brown Recluse Spiders can be deadly to children under the age of 7. Displaying a violin-like shape on their back, these spiders can range in color from brownish-tan to yellow-tan. Most Brown Recluse Spiders only bite when provoked.

SCORPIONS

With a crab-like appearance, scorpions are predatory and often come out at night. Scorpions like warm, dry climates and are often found in deserts. Take precautions when hiking and camping by keeping shoes, blankets, and towels secured indoors. Stings can feel much like a Honeybee sting with mild swelling or a rash, or may be more serious.

TICKS

Ticks can be very tiny and some can also carry Lyme disease. Prevalent throughout North America, ticks can attach themselves to exposed skin. After time spent outdoors, it’s important to do a full body check for ticks and to remove any ticks immediately. Removal of a Lyme disease-carrying Deer Tick within 36 hours can reduce your risk of getting the disease. 

CENTIPEDES AND MILLIPEDES

Though not poisonous, Millipedes carry venom that can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Centipedes also carry venom that is not deadly but can be toxic to people who are allergic to other types of insect venoms. Both centipedes and millipedes are worm-like creatures..

Sources : MSN

»»  Continue Reading...

8 Month-old Baby Weighing 17 KG (38 pounds) Baffles Doctors in India

A doctor checked Chahat Kumar

An 8-month-old baby in India who weighs as much as a healthy 4-year-old has left doctors stumped over what could be causing her rabid appetite. Chahat Kumar, who weighs 38 pounds, was born a healthy baby without any complications, The Sun reported.

When she was around 4 months old, Chahat’s weight began ballooning, and now her parents told Barcroft Media that she cries whenever she is not being fed.

“It’s not our fault,” Suraj, Chahat’s dad, told The Sun. “God gave this condition to her. It’s not in our hands. I feel bad when some people laugh at her for being fat.”

Doctors have been unable to obtain a blood sample from Chahat because her skin is abnormally thick, the news outlet reported. She reportedly is suffering breathing and sleeping problems due to her extreme weight.

Chahat Kumar is seen playing at her house in Punjab, India.

“We don’t have enough money for her treatment, but we do our best to make sure she gets well,” Reena, Chahat’s mother, told The Sun.

Dr. Sharma, her pediatrician, said he recommended the family take Chahat to a pediatric specialist at the Civil Hospital, but they are not able to afford it, The Sun reported.

“Her weight is increasing excessively, and it has to be controlled,” he told the news outlet. “She has to eat less. She eats like a 10-year-old kid.”

Her parents, who lost a son before she was born, said they will keep searching for answers in hopes of Chahat having a normal childhood.

“We don’t want her to have difficulties in the future,” Reena told The Sun. “We want a good future for her.”

Sources: MSN

»»  Continue Reading...