Skype Reveals Android Security Risk

Rossi Fernandes • April 16, 2011, 16:13:54 IST

Says if you’ve downloaded malicious third party app, it accesses your Skype information.

Skype said that Android users might be at risk if they’ve downloaded malicious third party applications. These applications could access the locally stored Skype files on your Android device. These files include cached profile information and instant messages. Skype says they’re working on protecting users from this vulnerability including securing file permissions on the Skype for Android application. They advise users to be careful which third party apps they download for their Android device.

Android users, Skype with care

A month ago, Google pulled 21 malicious apps from the Android Market. After removing those apps, Google installed a kill switch system to remove malicious apps from users who unfortunately downloaded any of those apps. This Skype warning only pertains to Android users who have downloaded malware from the Android App Market or from third party app markets. Users should check their instant messages and change their Skype passwords for sensitive information.

Written by Rossi Fernandes

Our resident Hardware Ninja, Rossi, lives for speed - by uhh riding his bicycle. He's Tech2's utility man, dividing his time between cameras, software and intense bouts of Quake III. He's also a fan of all things obscure, case in point, Live for Speed (sic). Never heard of it? We rest our case. In his spare time he tries to teach our new joinees the tricks of the trade even though the blood sweat and tears, but give him a camera and all things forgotten. see more