Sony’s Backup & Restore Android application that comes pre-installed on its Xperia Z3 smartphone appears to have been compromised. A Google Play entry has been added for the app listing “Nirav Patel Kanudo” as its publisher, along with the software’s description claiming that it’s managed by the “HeArT HaCkEr Group.”
HP’s annual two-day Mobile Pwn2Own competition came to a close this afternoon, with a group of veteran security researchers and other competitors able to compromise several flagship smartphones across the top-three mobile operating systems: Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The devices that were exploited include the Samsung Galaxy S5, Nexus 5, iPhone 5s, Amazon Fire Phone and Nokia Lumia 1520.
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Spotify took to the company blog this morning, warning its users that one — yes, just one — user had their Spotify profile hacked recently. But, as you would expect from a company like this, they’re taking matters into their own hands and approaching this with caution. The company will be asking users to reenter their passwords when opening the app for the next few days, but they also made clear that they aren’t aware of any increased risk for users:
Our evidence shows that only one Spotify user’s data has been accessed and this did not include any password, financial or payment information. We have contacted this one individual. Based on our findings, we are not aware of any increased risk to users as a result of this incident.
Also, Spotify says that it plans to release an updated version of the service’s Android app over the coming days as an extra measure of caution. Sadly, the company notes that any offline playlists you’ve downloaded in the app are going to have to be downloaded again after the update is released. iOS and Windows Phone Spotify users can rest easy, as Spotify says they don’t have any recommended action at the current time.