Android users, numbering over a billion globally, are facing a significant security threat with the emergence of a new malware dubbed Dirty Stream. The alarm bells were sounded by Microsoft’s security team, highlighting a flaw that could grant hackers complete control over affected devices.

Dirty Stream targets a crucial component of the Android operating system known as the ContentProvider system, facilitating inter-app communication and file sharing. Exploiting this vulnerability, hackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and manipulate device functions, posing grave risks to user privacy and security.

Affected Applications

Microsoft has identified malicious apps on the Play Store exploiting this vulnerability, with a combined install base exceeding 4 billion. Among the targeted apps, File Manager by Xiaomi, boasting over 1 billion installs, and WPS Office, with 500 million installs, stand out. While patches have been released for these apps, users are strongly advised to uninstall them immediately to mitigate potential risks.

What you can do

To safeguard against such threats, users are urged to take the following precautions.

Download from Official Sources

Exercise caution when downloading apps and exclusively source them from the official Play Store. Avoid downloading from third-party or untrusted sources.

Enable Play Protect

Enable Play Protect, Google’s built-in malware protection feature, to scan and verify apps for security threats before installation.

Avoid Sideloading Apps

Refrain from sideloading apps onto your device, as this increases the risk of inadvertently installing malicious software.

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