Security experts: Hackers using Android cameras to steal personal information

Security experts say hackers may be able to access personal information on your phone. Cybersecurity manager Matthew Pascucci says a software research firm called Checkmarx found a flaw in Samsung and Google phones.

News 12 Staff

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Nov 20, 2019, 10:32 PM

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Updated 1,610 days ago

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Hackers could be using millions of Android smartphones to spy on users.

Security experts say hackers may be able to access personal information on your phone. Cybersecurity manager Matthew Pascucci says a software research firm called Checkmarx found a flaw in Samsung and Google phones.

Hackers can use the phone's camera apps to take pictures and videos remotely and steal them -- even when the app is closed.

"The larger concern is that you have a device that can be used to monitor you, take photos of where your are. It's a privacy issue at this point. It can be used for blackmail, stealing data," says Pascucci.

Security experts say the solution is relatively easy. Just go to the Google Play Store and update the camera app.

"This is gonna happen, this is always gonna happen. Everybody gets updates, everything changes. It's about staying on top of it as a user, it's doing the updates as they come through," says Pascucci.

Pascucci says Checkmarx was able to prove the flaw exists, and Google and Samsung released the necessary fixes with the latest software. He says it's unclear how many people have had information stolen.

IPhones are not at risk, as they don't have access to Google Play.