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End-to-end encryption for RCS starts rolling out in Google Messages beta - Android Police

End-to-end encryption for RCS starts rolling out in Google Messages beta - Android Police

End-to-end encryption for RCS starts rolling out in Google Messages beta - Android Police

Posted: 08 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST

End-to-end encryption for RCS starts rolling out in Google Messages beta

Google announced that end-to-end encryption was coming to its RCS messaging system last month. At the time, all we knew was that the rollout would begin soon via Google's Messages app beta. Based on our reader's reports, that rollout for end-to-end encryption has now started.

Security-minded folks can review Google's whitepaper regarding the Messages app's approach to encryption. Reports regarding the rollout are widespread, across Twitter and the Universal Profile subreddit. Although it may not be live for everyone just yet, some others claim to have had the feature in at least some conversations for the last week or so.

For those that have it, the feature is clearly indicated with a new lock icon that appears beneath the most recent message in a supported conversation. A larger tip-like prompt may also appear to point out the feature when it's enabled. Google's whitepaper claims that the lock icon will also appear on the Send button.

Based on reports (and as expected), the feature is limited to those in the Messages beta for now, and both parties in supported RCS-based conversations need to be enrolled. Although it hasn't been tested that we've seen, the feature isn't expected to work for group chats just yet.

If you're interested in joining the end-to-end encrypted party, you can opt-in to the Messages beta here and pull down the latest version in short order via the Play Store — or you can get it with the rest of the cool kids from our sister site APK Mirror.

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This Cyberpunk 2077 Mobile listing is such an obvious scam, we shouldn’t even have to warn you - XDA Developers

Posted: 22 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST

But people are still falling for it

From being one of the most hyped games of 2020 to becoming one of the bigger disappointments, the chaos around Cyberpunk 2077 does not seem to end. There is now apparently a mobile version of the game that is luring users into installing malware on their Android devices.

As per reports, a threat actor is spreading fake installers for Cyberpunk 2077 that installs CoderWare ransomware. To spread the so-called Cyberpunk 2077 Mobile game, the threat actors are using websites that imitate the Google Play Store so they can trick users into installing the ransomware. As per Kaspersky malware analyst Tatyana Shishkova, the ransomware makes use of a hardcoded key, so a decryptor can be made to recover the lost files if any.

"RC4 algorithm with hardcoded key (in this example – "21983453453435435738912738921") is used for encryption. That means that if you got your files encrypted by this #ransomware, it is possible to decrypt them without paying the ransom."

Similar ransomware masquerading as a Cyberpunk 2077 game installer for Windows was spotted last month. According to Bleeping Computers, the Windows version included a python compiled executable file that would encrypt the target's files and append the .DEMON extension to encrypted file's names. There isn't any info regarding the hardcoded key for the Windows variant at the moment.

We advise you not to install any suspicious apps or software that offer you games, Cyberpunk 2077 in this case, for free. The only way to play Cyberpunk 2077 on your mobile device is via cloud gaming services such as Google Stadia or NVIDIA GeForce Now, or via local streaming solutions such as PS Remote Play. As for other platforms, the game is available for Xbox and PlayStation consoles, which can be purchased via the respective online stores or by getting the physical copies. For Windows, we advise that you buy the game from Steam or directly head to CD Projekt Red's website.

Cyberpunk 2077 has been a huge disappointment for a large section of gamers, especially for owners of last-gen consoles like the Sony PS4 and Xbox One X and Xbox One S, as the game is reportedly not optimized for them. Microsoft and Sony both have started offering refunds to users who purchased the game and game developer CD Projekt Red is now rushing to bring new updates to iron out the bugs. If you're looking to enjoy the game, try it out on a new console or a good gaming computer, or through Stadia. And just stay away from the obvious ransomwares.
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