Skype Fixes Android Security Hole, Issues New Build Of App
If you've been following Skype closely, you may remember a unique
security hole that was unearthed a few days ago. It caught quite a lot
of tracking, and with around 30 million Skypers online each day, it's
easy to understand why. Acting swiftly, Skype has just released a new
version of Skype for Android into the Android Market, containing a fix
to the vulnerability reported earlier. The company's encouraging people
to download that update as soon as possible, for obvious reasons.
They also stated that they had no reported examples of any 3rd party malicious application mis-using information from the Skype directory on Android devices, but they will continue to monitor closely the situation. Naturally, this was a chance for Skype to reassure people that they're taking security seriously, and we think the action here matches the words. So, if you're using Skype for Android, grab that update now! The full letter sent to users is below:
They also stated that they had no reported examples of any 3rd party malicious application mis-using information from the Skype directory on Android devices, but they will continue to monitor closely the situation. Naturally, this was a chance for Skype to reassure people that they're taking security seriously, and we think the action here matches the words. So, if you're using Skype for Android, grab that update now! The full letter sent to users is below:
After a weekend of developing and testing we have updated a new version of the Skype for Android application onto the Android Market, containing a fix to the vulnerability reported to us on Friday. Please do update to this version as soon as possible in order to help protect your information.
We have had no reported examples of any 3rd party malicious application mis-using information from the Skype directory on Android devices and will continue to monitor closely. Please rest assured that we do take your privacy and security very seriously and we sincerely apologise for any concern this issue may have caused.
Adrian Asher
Chief Information Security Officer
Skype Information Security
