Malware in Our Cheap Chinese Phones and Tablets

http://arstechnica.com/security/2016/11/chinese-company-inst…

I've got a Chuwi Hi8 and found this malware. Anyone see if it's on non-Chuwi tablets too?

Comments

  • 2015: http://www.xda-developers.com/micromax-remotely-installing-u…

    And from the 2016 articles: "Adups claims to have software running on more than 700 million, mostly low-end devices, and says it has partnered with some major manufacturers like Huawei and ZTE, but the scope of the installed software is also unclear. (Huawei and ZTE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.) At least one US manufacturer, BLU Products, was affected, with 120,000 phones reportedly running the tracking software."

  • Is this in a form of a doggy app or is it fully integrated into the device's firmware (in the case of Android)? For Windows 10, I am pretty sure you can just refresh and wipe out every custom settings.

    • It's built-in, it may have legitimate uses as a software updater, but had other nefarious functions, or it was just named "wireless update" to conceal its presence and had no legitimate use at all.

      • So it's still an app? It simply calls itself "software updater"?

        • It's a system app, i.e. not easily removed.

        • @scupper: Disable / Freeze it or deny all its permissions.

        • @MadMaxBargainRoad: yeah, had to root the tablet and used Titanium to remove it.

          On the lookout for a reliable rom replacement.

  • is this really a problem? you are already happily sharing all your personal data with google/apple/facebook.

    • +1

      Don't know why you're getting negged so bad. I agree, also as if the Aus government, US Government, UK government isn't already watching. I guess it's worse because it's china or something?

      • Because the comment is like saying this:
        http://www.savagechickens.com/2016/11/the-bright-side.html

        ps: I wasn't one of the neggers though.

        • I know what you're saying. I'm just cynical and paranoid. Everyone claims they want privacy and that they care about the security of their data yet they post their whole lives on the internet for everyone to see and then complain when some companies take it. I guess you should be able to assume that your phone is private but you would have to be a fool to believe that.

          Honestly I would rather give information to the Chinese than any US/UK/AU entity, it seems the Chinese only want to use it to further their country whereas 'western' corporations (and governments) use it to persecute people and sell you lies.

        • @Doge: it's like two guys admiring a girl, one guy is handsome and the other looks like a creep. The handsome guy's attention isn't as unwelcome :)

  • Left a comment at Techtablets Chuwi forum but it disappeared. No idea why. Do they use Chuwi employees as moderators?

    • Better to voice it at XDA developers.

      • Left one there but no response yet and minimal views. Am I mistaken and no one has this malware? No one has corroborated my story here either (confirming the same on their Chuwi or other tablets).

  • How do you check for it?

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