Google is developing a new security feature for Android designed to safeguard users from potential scams during phone calls. This feature aims to prevent device owners from altering sensitive settings while a call is active.
One of the notable protections is the restriction against enabling the installation of apps from unknown sources or granting accessibility permissions during a call. Users attempting these actions will receive a cautionary message stating, "Scammers often request this type of action during phone call conversations, so it’s blocked to protect you. If you are being guided to take this action by someone you don’t know, it might be a scam."
Currently, this functionality is live in the Android 16 Beta 2, which was rolled out recently. The goal is to add another layer of defense against a tactic known as telephone-oriented attack delivery (TOAD). This method has become prevalent among cybercriminals, who send SMS messages urging targets to make a call under false pretenses, often leading to the installation of malware.
Recently, cybersecurity firms, including NCC Group and Finland’s National Cyber Security Centre, reported that attackers utilized a combination of SMS and voice calls to trick unsuspecting users into installing malicious apps like Vultr.
Furthermore, Google has recently amplified its efforts to restrict settings and permissions on Android devices to further combat the issue of sideloading potentially harmful apps. Measures have included automatically blocking unsafe app installations in various regions such as Brazil, Hong Kong, and several countries in Africa and Asia to enhance user security against fraud.
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