HP laptops comes pre-installed with keylogger spyware

Keyloggers found on many HP laptop models Some HP laptops are apparently recording everything you type, including usernames and passwords, personal information according to Switzerland based cybersecurity firm, Modzero. If you thought that this flaw was masterminded by the hackers, then you are wrong? The culprit in question here is the audio driver preinstalled on several HP laptops that contain a keylogger that records all of a user’s keystrokes and stores the information in a way that can be easily misused. The audio drivers were discovered in HP laptops packaged and distributed by the company since at least Christmas 2015. The keylogger that was first discovered by Modzero in Conexant HD Audio Driver Package versions 1.0.0.46 and earlier, on April 28 was publicly disclosed on Thursday. So, what is the cause of the problem? Apparently, there is a file called ‘MicTray64.exe’ that comes preinstalled within the audio driver on several models of HP laptops. Every time when a user logs into their computer, the executable starts and “monitors all keystrokes made by the user.” For instance, keystrokes for actions such as muting/unmuting the microphone is intercepted by the audio driver. However, this process unintentionally processes everything and then writes it to an unencrypted log file. Even though the file is overwritten at start-up after each login, there are ways to retrieve past versions if, for instance, you have regular backups of your HP device. The more recent version (1.0.0.46) creates a log file of all the key presses at C:\Users\Public\MicTray.log. If you find this log file existing in your C drive, then please have it deleted immediately, says the firm. Further, the firm has recommended the HP users that if they find the program C:\Windows\System32\MicTray64.exe or C:\Windows\System32\MicTray.exe installed in their computers to have it deleted or rename the executable to stop further recording of the keystrokes. However, by doing this, may disable special key function but that’s a fair trade-off IMO. Modzero believes that there “is no evidence that this keylogger has been intentionally implemented,” adding that “it is [obviously]a negligence of the developers.” The potential exploit is present on most Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems, according to Modzero. There are 28 HP laptops that have been confirmed to use the Conexant HD audio driver package that contains the MicTray64.exe file, and other manufacturers that use the same audio driver may also be at risk. Click here to check the list of vulnerable devices and technical details about the exploit from HP. Since HP Enterprise refused to take any responsibility, nor did Conexant respond to the inquiries made by Modzero, the cybersecurity firm decided to go ahead and disclose the findings to the public in accordance with their Responsible Disclosure process. After the disclosure, HP has started rolling out patches to remove the keylogger, which will also delete the log file containing the keystrokes, reports ZDNet. In a brief statement, a spokesperson for HP said: “HP is committed to the security and privacy of its customers and we are aware of the keylogger issue on select HP PCs. HP has no access to customer data as a result of this issue.” Mike Nash, Vice-President of HP said to ZDNet on a call after-hours on Thursday that a fix is available on Windows Update and HP.com for newer 2016 and later affected models, with 2015 models receiving patches Friday. The keylogger-type feature was added to the driver’s production code by mistake and was never meant to be rolled out to end-user devices, added Nash. He also confirmed that few consumer that come with Conexant drivers were affected.

Xiaomi Has a Response to Why It Removed the Headphone Jack From the Mi6

The announcement of the Xiaomi Mi6 brought in a huge list of improvements and though it didn’t feature the near bezel-less display that you see on phones like Galaxy S8 and G6, its extremely competitive pricing for a Snapdragon 835-running flagship is very impressive. It would have been equally impressive had the company retained the previous components that we have seen on so many phones, most importantly the headphone jack. If you guys have not noticed by now, the company removed the 3.5mm headphone jack, taking the same route as phones such as the HTC U Ultra, Moto Z, and iPhone 7 Plus. The manufacturer has now provided a reason why it removed this port from the phone and replaced it with a Type-C USB interface instead.

Galaxy J7 (2017) appears on Sprint as Galaxy J7 Perx

Just over a month after the Galaxy J7 (2017) got Wi-Fi certified, the device appeared on Sprint’s online store under the name Galaxy J7 Perx. The smartphone has 5.5” display with HD resolution and is powered by Snapdragon 625 chipset with its octa-core CPU clocked at 2.2 GHz. It runs on Android Nougat 7.0. The RAM is 2GB, while the 16GB storage of the Galaxy J7 Perx can be expanded via the microSD slot. The primary camera does 8MP stills while the front snapper has a 5MP sensor. The phone goes for $265, but you can also get it for $11/mo in 24 monthly installments without upfront payment.

7 ways your smartphone is being hacked

How safe is your Smartphone? 

Are you a victim of smartphone espoonage?

It is a fact that government,the NSA,private organisations and individuals hacks smartphone using malicious backdoors ,phone app. ATM skimming type software and wireless radio wave techonlogy to gain illegal access to the unsuspecting smartphones user.

1. Hackers can take over your smartphone by sending a text message with a photo or sending a video attached.in 2015,over a billion Android phones were affected by this attack known as "Stagefright".According to arstechinica Qualocom security bug,leaves many phones open a attack.The attack which is seen in android version 4.3 and earlier,allows low privilleged apps to access to senstive data thats supposed to be off limit,according to a blog published by security firm,Fire eye,but instead,the data is available by invoking the permission that is already requested by million of million of apps available at Google Play store

2.Uniformately even with Apple strong encryption standards,even in iphone users privacy is still at serious risk and exposure.According to digitaltrend.com the illegal exposure was possible from a security flaw in Signaling System 7(SS7),a little knowledge network that connects all the phones carriers arround the world.its known as the hearty of phone system.The bad news here is that affects every phone on a cellular network whatever it is running in iOS ,Android,or even Window."The theory is that the SS7 flaw is well known within government,but it is a hole that security agencies might not want plugged since it provides access to everyones phone"

3. According to cracked.com,once your phone is hacked,your cell phone tilt "sense"what you are typing on your computer.Your phone accelerometer can pick up information such as password,chats and message frpom just based on distance from your keys to the phone and deduce which letter you type

4. Any Smartphone with near field capablities(NFC) can steal credit card information just by near by them.According to cracked.com "the programe creator,Eddie Lee,demonstarted the hack with his own phone at DefCo 2012,then on the internet as flashing "fuck you,fix this" sign in to credit card companies ".

5. "FREE CHARGING" kiosks may using the same technology as ATM skimming devices steal your private information,and data, or install a programe on your phone to steal it later

6. Ralf PHiliopp Weinmann of the university of Luxembourg discovered that hackers infiltrate your phone through the airwaves themselves,through fake call phone tower,and antivirus software to hack directly into the radio processor 

7. Unsecure Wifi in restaurant,hotels and airport allows the hackers to view the everything you do while connecyted.on iPhone, a message will warm the user by saying the server cannot be verified