Malware Attack? Push Android Panic Button

Today, the menace of malware and ransomware attacks is terrorizing the whole IT industry and panic has struck in a society where the data of people making online purchases or doing job search on internet.

What are Malwares?

Different types of Malware or “Malicious software” exist. Some usually appear as advertisement known as adware. Those that steal sensitive information are known as spyware. Some malware spread email spam or child pornography via zombie computers. Ransomwares, lock the whole computers and their creators uses that as a bargaining chip in order to extort money.

Some malware have been smart enough to dodge the security of Google and enter the Google Play App Store.

Recently so many corporate organizations got the shock of a lifetime when their data was held to ransom by the hackers who created the malware WannaCry. Nobody would ever want anything like that to happen ever again.

Remedy:

To ensure that the ransomware attacks like WannaCry and ExPetr do not happen again, Google has decided to introduce the phones with a “Panic button”. This panic button would enable the user to return to the home screen. This can be done by pressing “go back” button multiple numbers of times in a row.

What is Panic Button?

The new feature has been introduced to Android‘s 7.1 Nougat operating system. This feature aims to stop malicious applications from taking over a user’s screen which prevents them from exiting the screen.

Using this panic button, users can deactivate any application that appears potentially harmful or suspicious for their device or has malware, instantly.

“Panic Mode” feature was first developed by XDA Developer Forum, the platform for Android code testers. Speculations say that Google is not advertising or publicizing the fact that it is trying to combat malicious application. This is because there was no big announcement regarding the launch of this feature.

Other methods to prevent malware attack on device?

There are other methods using which, users can avoid malware from encrypting and locking their device.

These methods include, users, checking app permissions, keeping a check over the email attachments they wish to open,  avoiding installation of apps appearing to be shady and lastly, installing an antivirus which scans and cleans the phone belonging to users on a regular basis. Such antivirus programs notify users for any potential threat.

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