If you enjoy supporting your favorite artists by attending their shows, watch out for the AXS ticketing app. It could be a nightmare!
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Device security comes in many shapes and forms, each with its own strategy for mitigating threat vectors. Read to find out how to stay secure!
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Various antivirus and antimalware apps are available through app stores; some even come pre-installed from OEMs. Question is: are these mobile antivirus apps really necessary?
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You didn’t really think Miami-based BLU Products was the only Android device manufacturer that unwillingly put its users’ personal data at risk by loading cheap phones up with a malicious third-party Chinese app, now, did you?
In fact, recent research estimated the number of gadgets pre-installed with Adups firmware at around 700 million, allowing the shady “leading global FOTA provider of end-to-end device management and software solutions” to potentially monitor text messages, phone call histories, and details of how all these phones are used without their owners’ permission.
Among those controversially choosing to collaborate with Adups, we found important OEM names like Lenovo and ZTE in addition to BLU, while Barnes & Noble reportedly joins the list after the holiday launch of the ultra-low-cost Nook Tablet 7.
For just $50, it seems you’re not only getting a compact “reading-optimized” IPS display, full Play Store access, skinned Marshmallow, exclusive B&N content, up to 7-hour battery life, and 8GB expandable storage, but also complimentary spyware.
At least in theory therefore, everything from call logs to contacts and even your IMEI number are in danger of falling into the wrong hands, although we have to underline the low-end slate doesn’t support cellular services. Still, Barnes & Noble should take care of this security hazard in a similarly expeditious way as BLU so as to nip unnecessary scandals in the bud.
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Miami-based smartphone manufacturer/Chinese hardware repackager BLU is looking to bounce back from damning data-mining scandals as soon as possible, avoiding any further association with Google-unrelated software companies and quickly convincing Amazon to take the R1 HD back.
That’s no wonder, given the early rampant success of the ultra-low-cost 5-incher through America’s most popular e-commerce platform. Believe it or not, the BLU R1 HD has already returned to first place in Amazon.com’s ranking of best-selling unlocked cell phones, after several weeks of absence caused by excessive demand and OS tweaking.
Sheltered from prying eyes and hopefully cleared of all dubious third-party apps and services, the BLU R1 HD is best served with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage space, either at $60 as a Prime exclusive with offers and ads, or $110 in a Standard configuration, no restrictions, strings attached or subscriptions needed.
But if you want to spend even less, a humbler-than-humble 1/8GB edition goes for $50 and $100 respectively for Prime members and everyone else. Unavailable throughout the extended Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping season, the four BLU R1 HD models can now ship before Christmas, Android Marshmallow, quad-core processing power, 720p screen resolution, 4G LTE connectivity, GSM support, 8 and 5MP cameras included.
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