10/03/2025

LYFE MONDAY | MAR 10, 2025

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Smartphone makers focus on security threats o Tools being developed against phishing, deepfakes

industry group UK Finance, Scam Signals is a service that applications can call on to detect signs of phone-based fraud, when scammers call up customers to push them to authorise transactions on their mobile banking apps. Based on data including the length of a phone call, the system can prompt banks to “stop the transaction in progress, make sure everything is okay, before then making the transfer,” said GSMA head of industry security Samantha Kight. Some UK networks have already adopted the tool. But fraudsters have a whole spread of methods to attack smartphones, targets of choice for their ubiquity and largely lacking protection. ‘Trojan horse’ attacks Online banking fraud grew the fastest of any attack against mobile devices in 2024, according to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. In its annual report published to coincide with MWC, it calculated that so called “Trojan horse” attacks using malicious software to steal login details for bank apps had tripled year-on-year. Users remain vulnerable to applications that can conceal harmful functions. In most cases of banking fraud, “users are installing a malicious app,” said Kaspersky analyst Marc Rivero. “For example, they want to install a

game and they find the link on the internet... the app seems to be the official one, but it is a fake app and then malware is installed on the device.” Unnoticed threats Even official app stores that come pre-installed on smartphones that are supposed to offer only verified software can have weak points. The level of risk varies depending on the operating system, with the widely used Android remaining more vulnerable than Apple’s iOS, according to many experts. And with many smartphone owners not using dedicated security software, the dangers can remain invisible, said cybersecurity firm Pradeo’s Roxane Suau. On an unprotected phone, “you would not see if someone has clicked a phishing link or downloaded a malicious programme,” she said. “The general public largely has not woken up” to the security risks, Suau added. Users can take some control of their security with straightforward changes to their phones’ settings, she said. These include not leaving Bluetooth activated permanently, not connecting automatically to Wi-Fi networks and promptly installing software updates. – AFP

Lenovo has not announced a date for the commercial release of the laptop. – PIC COURTESY OF LENOVO

K EEPING smartphone users safe from phishing, deepfakes and malicious software was top of mind for many manufacturers and network operators last week at the world’s biggest wireless technology conference. Cybersecurity may not be splashed across the vast screens lining the convention centre’s halls alongside omnipresent artificial intelligence (AI) features, but it had top billing in some product announcements at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Chinese smartphone maker Honor showed off a new tool that it said would allow its smartphones to detect deepfakes – deceptive AI images and video based on the likeness of real people. Users can request verification of a piece of content with a single click, offering it up for scan by an AI tool that Honor said can detect fakes with 99% accuracy. The GSMA telecom operators’ association, which hosts MWC in Barcelona every year, has developed a tool called Scam Signals. Built alongside Britain’s banking

Laptop with solar panels can power up anywhere LENOVO caused a stir at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) by unveiling a concept laptop with integrated solar panels for charging that is as practical as it is environmentally friendly. At MWC 2025 in Barcelona last week, Lenovo showcased the Yoga Solar PC concept, a laptop that, as its name suggests, has solar panels on its lid. This ingenious design allows the device to recharge using solar energy, providing an environmentally friendly and practical solution for users on the move. The Yoga Solar PC proof of concept is equipped with advanced back contact cell technology, which optimises the absorption of solar energy even in low-light conditions. Thanks to an energy conversion rate of over 24%, this laptop can, according to Lenovo, obtain an additional hour of video playback time after only 20 minutes of exposure to the sun. A dedicated application allows users to monitor the device’s energy absorption in real time for better management of its battery life. Otherwise, it is a conventional 14-inch notebook computer. The integration of solar panels into a laptop represents a significant advance for the autonomy of these devices, responding to the growing needs of users on the move. However, Lenovo has not announced a date for the commercial release of this proof of concept device, leaving doubts as to the possible mass production of such a laptop. The world’s biggest PC seller also took advantage of the event to present another innovative concept, the ThinkBook Flip. This laptop has a flexible Oled screen that can be folded outwards, transforming a 13.1-inch laptop into an 18.1-inch vertical screen. This design offers a smooth transition between different working modes, such as traditional laptop mode, tablet mode and reading mode. In addition, the ThinkBook Flip incorporates a multitude of features boosted by artificial intelligence to improve productivity. Again, Lenovo has not specified whether this concept will give rise to a production model in the near future. – ETX Studio

Chinese phone producer Honor shows off a new tool that will allow its smartphones to detect deepfakes. – AFPPIC

More app choices lead to convenience, innovation, but can also frustrate users

Where we go from here As Malaysia moves closer to full digitalisation, navigating app saturation will require smarter strategies from developers and businesses. Developers can focus on improving the user experience and solving real problems, as opposed to just rushing to create a duplicate of an existing app. Malaysia’s app ecosystem is thriving, but saturation is becoming a real problem. How many e-wallet apps do we need when they all do the same thing? While a digital world filled with choices offers convenience and

0 Phone storage, performance issues Many users hesitate to install new apps due to limited storage space and concerns about battery drain. 0 Security risks Not all apps are secure and many are shoddily built. The more apps we install, the higher the chances of data breaches, phishing scams and privacy invasions. A flood of apps makes it harder for more scam-susceptible users to distinguish between safe and risky apps. 0 Diminishing returns for developers More apps mean tougher competition. Many startups struggle to gain visibility

innovation, an app flood can lead to frustration and inefficiency. For developers, the challenge is to create apps that truly add value, rather than submit to base capitalistic instincts by joining the race to build yet another version of what already exists. As for users, being more selective about the apps they use could help push the market toward more sustainable digital solutions. At the end of the day, the future of Malaysia’s app ecosystem is not purely about having more apps, but having better apps, which is where the real opportunity lies.

and only a handful achieve success. High marketing costs and challenges attracting new users make it difficult for new apps to survive. Positives of app boom That said, it is not all bad. Having a wide variety of apps and a thriving digital ecosystem comes with several advantages: 0 More choices A competitive app market with plenty of options is a win for consumers. If one food delivery app has high prices or is slow in service, users can simply switch to a competitor. 0 Fuels innovation Competition

compels app developers to constantly strive to create better, more efficient solutions. Creativity is fostered, leading to new and continuously improved features that benefit users. 0 Economic growth The app industry generates jobs, from developers to marketers, and contributes significantly to Malaysia’s economy. 0 Convenience and digital transformation Apps simplify everyday tasks, making services more accessible at the tap of a button. Whether it is banking, shopping or remote work, digitalisation has transformed the way we live.

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