Pokémon GO Would collapse hacking or service? – CIO Latin America

Was it a hack, a DDoS attack or collapse to the numerous requests which caused the failure of the game servers Pokémon GO? Doubt still persists, and although the company says that the fault was solved, criticism and claims worldwide to access the game persist

CIO America. | Mario Augusto R. Beroes | @ marioberoes22

The Twitter account “Pokémon Go News”, which although not official, collects reports from fans, ensures that cases who claim not to enter the game they are “temporary”. However, different players expressed on social networks were continuing problems entering or could enter only intermittently.

Meanwhile, the company Niantic, creator of the application ensures that the problem was due to the high number of people who access the game, and denies that the global collapse occurred since Saturday, when servers collapsed is due to attack by the group of hackers, PoodleCorps, who attributed the action that prevented the Nintendo fans to identify smartphone when entering and log on as they had done in recent days.

PoodleCorp has not said why the attack , although this group is already known to do this kind of cybernetic lunges only by fun. the type of attack is known as DDoS and occurs when servers are inundated with so many requests per second that can not cope.

the company Niantic says now yes he is prepared to face any new cyber attacks and “face any scam on social networks and versions” you troyanizadas “application to take advantage of players Pokémon Go”.

permissions and privacy

Niantic became the focus of some questions of security, after people realized that it had requested a lot of permits, including full access to their accounts from Google. The company said that only access basic account information. And he released an update of the application that calls for less permissions.

Even with this update, Pokemon Go still generates a lot of data, such as location profiles and patterns of movement, as described in Privacy Policy game. The data collected could be increased further when used Pokemon Go Plus, the peripheral device Bluetooth LE that can connect multiple mobile devices.

An investigation by Symantec found that some Bluetooth LE devices can be tracked or can allow data leaks. As Pokemon Go Plus is not out yet, we can not yet determine if this device will face the same problems.

Symantec experts reviewed security issues surrounding Pokemon Go and particularly the traps that have developed and warn users about how to protect your mobile device. Independent malicious activity of cybercriminals, we have found that players try to cheat in the game, either trapping or incubating more Pokémon without leaving your location.

recommendations Symantec

for your safety and reduce the risk of these attacks, mobile device users should follow these recommendations:

• Avoid download Pokemon Go from unofficial sites, since attackers can use these sites to deliver malware disguised as legitimate applications.
• Install update Pokemon Go has removed the request for full access to accounts google.
• Get away from tools slicker game, as they may be fraudulent or may contain malware.
• update the firmware smart to prevent vulnerabilities that can be exploited phone.
• Use strong and unique passwords for the account Pokemon Go
• Pay close attention to the permissions applications request. Install a mobile security application, such as Norton, which protects both the device and information.

Karspersky alert about malware Pokémon GO

the security specialists Kaspersky Lab issued an alert about a, unauthorized, the popular game Pokémon GO, which may be circulating malicious version. This version for Android devices has been altered with a remote access tool (RAT) call Droidjack that could allow control of the mobile phone by cybercriminals.

at the moment, the augmented reality game is officially available only in the US, Australia, UK and New Zealand; however, its popularity has rapidly climbed around the world, which has prompted Android users in other countries, including Mexico, to download versions of the app through illegitimate channels.

For these versions , Android users need to adjust the settings of your device so as to allow them to install files with APK, from untrusted sources, spread a practice considered high risk.

Although, to date yet has not been detected in circulation the APK file containing the RAT, it has already been discovered in a repository malicious files, so you could spread online at any time.

“the use of popular online games as a vector for malware installation is a common practice , so it is only a matter of time that cybercriminals exploit the popularity of Pokémon GO to infect eager and confident consumers. The best way to protect your device and information is to install only applications downloaded through official stores and complement this with a solution robust security, “said Roberto Martinez, a security expert at Kaspersky Lab.

Kaspersky Lab It offers users the following recommendations:

• • Do not take shortcuts and wait for the official version of this game is available in your country
  • No antimalware solution disable your device for easy installation of software, since not only expose your smartphone, but also the information that it stores
  • Do not download the application from an unverified source. Doing carries too high a risk not worth taking .

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