TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013 Yet another free service for Android developers, and for criminals too

DUBAI: Google Cloud Messaging is a messages about new game levels or ous malware targeting Android own- prised by the appearance of mali- great way for developers to manage goods, etc. ers which use GCM to receive com- cious programs that use the Google legitimate applications - but the This service was developed to mands from the fraudsters. For service. “It would be strange if virus service has proved to be an unwit- make it easier for Android-based app example, Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS. writers were not taking advantage of ting accomplice to cybercrime. developers to support programs FakeInst.a can send text messages to the opportunities offered by this Kaspersky Lab has detected several downloaded and installed on users’ premium numbers and delete service. At present, there is not much popular malicious programs which devices. incoming messages, or create short- mobile malware using GCM, but use GCM as a cheap and easy com- Thanks to Google Cloud cuts to malicious sites and show some of the programs are already munication channel with the crooks Messaging (GCM), the authors of the notifications containing adverts of quite popular. They are widespread which created them. programs do not need to build their other malicious programs that are in some parts of Western Europe, the Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) own IT infrastructure to do this. distributed in the guise of useful CIS and Asia. The only way to block allows application developers to However, GCM has its attractions for applications or games. Trojan- these channels of communication communicate with programs cybercriminals, who have started to SMS.AndroidOS.OpFake.a, in addi- between the virus writers and their installed on the users’ smartphones use it to replace Command & Control tion to sending text messages to pre- malware is to block the accounts of and tablet. They can send a range of servers. This makes it quicker and mium numbers, can steal messages those developers whose IDs are used information, from ordinary notifica- cheaper to manage infected Android and contacts, delete incoming mes- when registering malicious pro- tions to commands for the applica- devices, simply by registering on the sages and commit a host of other grams. We have informed Google tions themselves. The service is used Google service. crimes. about the detected GCM-ID which for locating stolen phones, remotely Kaspersky Lab specialists have Roman Unuchek, Senior Malware are used in malware,” said Roman configuring phone settings, mailing detected several samples of danger- Analyst at Kaspersky Lab is not sur- Unuchek. Australian teen tests Apple tolerance with new iPhone leak

SYDNEY: An Australian teenager who has built an online follow- ing by leaking pictures of upcoming Apple Inc products has done it again, showing off the purported fingerprint scanner of the lat- est iPhone ahead of its expected launch next week. Sonny Dickson, who lives with his parents in suburban Melbourne, attracted attention in August after he released detailed pictures and videos of the new grey and champagne casing on the upcoming iPhone. On Thursday, Dickson leaked what he says are the first detailed pictures of the new model’s new “home” button with its rumored WASHINGTON: In this May 21, 2013 file photo, photogra- biometric fingerprint scanner. “While the design differences have phers crowd around Corp’s next-generation yet to be technically assessed, they could have a whole lot to do LAS VEGAS: File photo shows attendees stop by the One entertainment and gaming console system after it was with the rumored biometric fingerprint scanner that numerous Microsoft Xbox booth at the GameStop Expo. — AP officially revealed, at an event in Redmond. — AP photos pundits and analysts have predicted. In fact, we’d count on it,” Dickson said on his website, http://sonnydickson.com/ Apple, which zealously controls information of its new product launches in the face of rampant interest from consumers, has GameStop Expo offers invited media to an event on Sept. 10, where it is expected to unveil at least one new model iPhone. Supply chain sources told Reuters in June that Apple is expected to launch two new models this year, one with new fingerprint technology and a cheaper ver- taste of next-gen games sion in a plastic casing, widely referred to as the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C respectively. LAS VEGAS: Inside the massive complex “I’m here to see and play all the next- GameStop launched the gamer gather- Apple plans to dress up the 5C model in a range of five or six on the Las Vegas Strip that houses the gen consoles and games for myself,” ing last year after the Grapevine, Texas- colours to differentiate it from the more expensive model that has glitzy Venetian casino and Sands conven- Shawn Smoak, a 22-year-old self-pro- based company’s international divisions traditionally come only in black and white, according to the tion center, amid a soundscape of conflict- fessed “ fanboy,” said while waiting successfully hosted their own events. (Last sources. Apple declined to comment on Dickson’s actions, and he ing noises, thousands of players are mash- to try out “.” “You can read every- year’s EB Games Expo in Australia wel- says they have never contacted him about it. Dickson told Reuters ing buttons while staring intently at flick- thing you possibly can about them online, comed more than 30,000 attendees.) he has five to 10 sources in China who buy Apple prototype parts ering screens. They’re not playing slots or but until you actually get your hands on Admission for Wednesday’s event ranged directly from factory-line workers, which are then sold from $250 video poker. No, they’re trying their hand the controller, you don’t really know any- from $20 for student tickets to $100 for VIP to $500. at upcoming games such as “Titanfall” and thing. That’s what this is all about.” access that included early entry. His sources then send him photos and videos of the parts, “Ryse.” Along with providing glimpses of such “We didn’t want to be in the live events which are posted under his name on his website and YouTube This is the GameStop Expo. The world’s upcoming games as “Batman: Arkham business,” said GameStop CEO Paul channel, which generate ad revenue. Initially communicating via largest retailer first organized Origins” and “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Raines. “This was something that was Weibo, a Chinese microblogging service, Dickson said he and his the gathering of its most passionate cus- Flag,” the expo also included panels, give- pulled out of us. The customers wanted it. suppliers moved to a secret website to discuss business. “I’ve been tomers last year during its annual meeting aways, photo booths, costume contests The PowerUp Rewards community was doing this for many years, so I know what looks fake and what’s of store managers. While the Electronic and free chocolate ice cream dispensed asking for us to give them an opportunity not,” said Dickson, a high school graduate with a penchant for lux- Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles is no from a truck promoting the “South Park: to see new products and games. People ury accessories such as watches that pepper his photos on the longer open to the public, the GameStop The Stick of Truth” game. The event was love it because this is the only place where online Instagram service. Expo offers everyday gamers a chance to just part of GameStop’s purpose in Vegas. they can play ‘Titanfall’ right now.” “I trust what they say to me - but I also back up the story with preview upcoming titles and hardware. Beyond the expo hall in meeting Raines declined to release pre-order other people to make sure what I’m posting is legit.” Spending 12 The expo’s more than 5,000 attendees rooms at the Venetian casino and Sands sales data, but he expects this holiday sea- hours a day maintaining his website, Dickson said his blog views waited in snaking lines inside a cavernous convention center, more than 5,000 man- son’s console launches to be the biggest spiked to a million hits last month, making him A$2,000 ($1,850) Sands Expo hall early Wednesday to test- agers from company’s nearly 4,500 stores in history and provide some much-need- from web traffic in August. drive Microsoft’s and Sony’s in the US spent three days learning all ed luck to both GameStop and the gam- “Most of the traffic is from the US - I’ve had 590 hits from Apple PlayStation 4, the next-generation systems about how to sell new games and hard- ing industry, which has seen sales slide in and about 53 from US Homeland Security in August,” said due out this November. “: ware to customers like those at its expo. recent years as Microsoft Corp.’s 7-year- Dickson, noting he had tracked IP addresses from Washington DC Ghosts,” “Titanfall,” “Ryse: Son of Rome” The retailer currently boasts about 25 mil- old Xbox 360 and Sony Corp.’s 6-year-old and Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. While Dickson and “Battlefield 4” were among the most lion members in its PowerUp Rewards PlayStation 3 have entered their twilight denies he is breaking any laws, experts are not so sure. — Reuters popular games on display. program. years. — AP