Emergency release: Bitdefender provides free tool to protect Android users from remote wipe vulnerability

Bitdefender Wipe Stopper heads off remote USSD attacks



Bitdefender®, the award-winning provider of innovative antivirus solutions, has released a free tool to prevent attackers from remotely wiping your Android device or causing other damage through the recently discovered USSD vulnerability.



The discovery this week of the vulnerability, which would allow an attacker to remotely run USSD commands on an Android phone through a fault in the dialer, has shown that hundreds of thousands of Android users worldwide are at risk of massive, sudden data loss. Publicity surrounding the vulnerability greatly increases the likelihood of an attack, as exploiting the vulnerability requires little technical knowledge.



Bitdefender Wipe Stopper, now available for free on Google Play, notifies Android users of any attempt to run a USSD command on their device, allowing them to prevent their phones from executing the malicious commands. Once installed, your device is safe from running unauthorised USSD commands even if your Android version is vulnerable.



“The moment the vulnerability came to light, Bitdefender set some of the best minds in the industry to work,” said Catalin Cosoi, Chief Security Researcher at Bitdefender. “We came up with the best solution available – Bitdefender Wipe Stopper. It’s free, so we recommend pretty much every Android owner use it.”



For more details on the vulnerability, click here: http://www.hotforsecurity.com/blog/b...oids-3657.html



For a full list of Bitdefender 2013 features and benefits by product, please visit http://www.bitdefender.co.uk or follow Bitdefender on Twitter for daily malware alerts.



Notes to editor

All product and company names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and are the property of, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.



About Bitdefender®



Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, the company has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of around 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.



Recently, the company won a range of key independent recommendations in the US, UK and across Europe, including ConsumerSearch, Stiftung Warentest and Taenk. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender's antivirus products is available from the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes the HOTforSecurity blog, a sizzling blend of steamy computer security stories and stimulating visuals that spotlights the seedy underworld of internet fraud, scams, malicious software – and gossip.

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