Hang Up on Hackers: Protect Yourself from Mobile App Video Conferencing Vulnerabilities
Whether they’re attending regular work meetings or catching up with extended family across the globe, many people leverage video conferencing to better connect with others – a process that will likely continue as our world only becomes more digital. But as the rapid adoption of video conferencing tools and apps occurs, potential threats to online safety emerge.
Anydesk online is a virtual desktop application that provides you with a virtual workspace to work from. The application is designed to provide an easy to use and consistent experience when working with your personal or business projects. AnyDesk can be optionally installed on computers and smartphones with full administrative permissions, if the user chooses to do so. It therefore should, like all remote desktop applications, be used with caution as it may result in a remote full access to the device via the internet. Mobile access fraud.
Agora is one of these tools for connection. The company’s video conferencing software is included in apps like MeetMe, Skout, Nimo TV, temi, Dr. First Backline, and Talkspace, across more than 1.7 billion devices globally. According to McAfee Advanced Threat Research (ATR), Agora’s video software development kit (SDK) until recently included a vulnerability that could have allowed an attacker to spy on ongoing video and audio calls.
In accordance with McAfee’s safe vulnerability disclosure policy, ATR provided Agora with details of its thorough research into the issue so that the software developer could take action to address it with a software update.
But let’s take a look at what a vulnerability like this could mean for users.
Potentially Uninvited Video Attendees
So, how exactly could this vulnerability allow others to spy on private calls?
The McAfee ATR team discovered that the Agora vulnerability stemmed from an error of incomplete encryption – the process of converting information or data into seemingly random output to prevent unauthorized access. Agora’s SDK implementation did not allow applications to securely configure the setup of video/audio encryption, thereby leaving a potential for hackers to snoop on them.
Therefore, if exploited, this particular vulnerability could’ve allowed a criminal to launch man-in-the-middle attacks, which occur when a hacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communications between two unsuspecting users. Aka, they could spy on users’ private video calls.
Put Your Security on Speed Dial
The vulnerability discovery and mitigation cooperation between McAfee and Agora illustrates why it’s so important for threat researchers to work closely and constructively with app developers to make our digital lives as safe as possible.
As a consumer, however, it’s important to realize what exactly you’re getting into when downloading applications for video conferencing and other tools that help you stay connected.
While the security community encourages developers to write software code with security in mind, software apps tend to struggle with bugs and vulnerabilities in their early days. Consumers should by all means download and enjoy the hottest new apps, but they should also take steps to protect themselves from any undiscovered issues that might threaten them.
Here are a few tips that can help ensure your safety while connecting with others online:
Update, update, update!
It’s easy to click “Install later” when software updates pop up on your screen. However, these updates often come with security patches for vulnerabilities like the ones mentioned above. To ensure that your software and apps have the latest security fixes, update them immediately or select the option update automatically if available.
Avoid using vulnerable apps
Until a patch is created, you should operate under the assumption that a hacker could compromise your video calls. Avoid using vulnerable apps until developers make a software security update available to help protect your calls from being infiltrated.
Leverage Holistic Security Solutions
In order to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential risks, make sure you have a holistic security solution in place, such as McAfee Total Protection, which can help block risky downloads with McAfee WebAdvisor, protect you from malicious mobile apps, and help update Windows and your apps all in one place with Vulnerability Scanner.
Stay Updated
To stay updated on all things McAfee and on top of the latest consumer and mobile security threats, follow @McAfee_Home on Twitter, listen to our podcast Hackable?, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.
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Version 6.1.1214 Apr 2021
- Added support for new plugins:
Added support for new custom plugins.
3 Mar 2021
- Support for different configuration channels:
Support for configuration via App Restrictions (e.g. Microsoft Intunes). - Image quality bugfix:
Fixed remote image artefacts. - Bugfixes:
Minor improvements and fixes.
22 Jan 2021
- Plugin management:
Manage plugin through AnyDesk app to reduce number of launcher icons.. - Crash fix:
Fixed crash in session recording settings.
18 Jan 2021
- Auto switch to monitor with focus:
Automatically switches to remote monitor that has the focused window. - Lock remote desk on session end:
If supported by the remote desk, automatically locks remote desk when the session ends. - Auto disconnect:
Disconnects incoming connections after a configurable time of inactivity. - Support for high quality screen transmission:
See setting Preserve details for more information. - Compatibility with Samsung devices:
Fixed injection of wrong touch coordinates on Samsung devices. Improved injection of special characters on Samsung devices. - Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
6 Oct 2020
- New plugin version notifications:
Added notification when a new plugin version is available. - Converting mouse events:
Added option to convert mouse events to touch events. - Android 10 and newer compatibility:
Fixed key event transmission on Android 10 and higher. - Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
Anydesk For Mobile Online Download
Version 6.1.09 Sep 2020
- Edit mode for Address Book:
It is now possible to add and remove address books and entries there. - Search function improved:
Searching for multiple words in speed dial and address book. - Wake-on-Lan feature simplified:
Wake on LAN now discovers wakable devices in network. No need to configure the wake source anymore. - Improved iOS support:
Support for improved connections to iOS devices. - Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
28 Jul 2020
- Bugfix:
Fixed crash on Android 4 and 5.
22 Jul 2020
- Bugfix:
Changed the default setting for interactive access back to When AnyDesk is visible.
14 Jul 2020
- Access Control List:
Implemented Access Control List. - Address Book:
Implemented read only Address Book. - Flexible Session Recordings:
Session Recordings can now be started and stopped at any time. - Wake-on-Lan support:
Android device can now be used to wake other devices in the same network. - Settings security:
Settings can be now be protected by device security. - Scrolling in touchpad mode:
Fixed 3-finger scroll in touchpad mode. - Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
24 Jun 2020
- AndroidTV support:
Improved support on AndroidTV (opening settings).
11 May 2020
- Speed dial items:
Improved input validation when renaming speed dial items. Fixed shadows on speed dial items. - Improvements for AndroidTV:
Improved link handling on AndroidTV. - Various other improvements:
Improved file transfer. Improved online state monitoring when app is in background.
20 Apr 2020
- Kiosk mode:
Support for kiosk mode if whitelisted. - Discovery feature security:
Significantly improved security of Discovery feature. - Speed dial items:
Replaced overflow button on speed dial items with long-press action. - Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
25 Mar 2020
- New plugin:
Added plugin for Android devices.
10 Dec 2019
- Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
5 Dec 2019
- Bugfixes:
Fixed a couple of minor bugs.
19 Nov 2019
- Bugfixes:
Fixed initial file transfer button visibility.
14 Nov 2019
- New features:
Support for multi-touch events, privacy feature settings, VPN, seeking in seesions player and support for dark mode. - Bugfixes:
Fixed clipboard file transfer, improved network connection stability, keyboard and dpad navigation, other minor improvements and bugfixes.
9 Sep 2019
- New plugin:
Added plugin for HTC devices.
22 Aug 2019
- New features:
Improved speed on some devices, added color for speed dial items, added online state to discovered items. - Bugfixes:
Fixed remote image artifacts, issue with incoming connections, other minor improvements and fixes.
6 Aug 2019
- New plugin:
Added plugin for Savortex devices. - Bugfixes:
Fixed vulnerability in session playback that could lead to files getting overwritten.
11 Jul 2019
- Fixed crashes:
Fixed crashes due to invalid translations in some languages. - Bugfixes:
Fixed some minor bugs.
27 Jun 2019
- Fixed crashes:
Fixed several crashes due to invalid format in ukrainian translation and concerning stopping service. - Bugfixes:
Fixed some minor bugs.
6 Jun 2019
- New features:
Unattended access, Kickout feature and improved speed. - Fixed crash and bugs:
Fixed crash in incoming connections and made minor improvements and fixes.
2 Apr 2019
- Remote control speed:
Improved remote control speed. - Showing pointer:
Showing pointer when remote control is possible and also on pointer move. - Incoming connections:
Added default permissions for incoming connections in settings. - Discovery settings:
Added settings for discovery. - Fixed configuration:
Fixed configuration for interactive access. - Fixed lockups:
Fixed gesture detection lockups. - Improved stability:
The stability has been improved.
21 Mar 2019
- User interface:
Improved user interface. - Tutorial:
Showing a tutorial on first start. - Auto discovery:
Auto discovery of other AnyDesk instances in local network. - Full screen mode:
Toggle full screen mode. - Fixed OpenGL bug:
Fixed OpenGL bug that could lead to graphic rendering errors. - Fixed file transfer:
Fixed crash in file transfer. - Fixed own address card visibility:
Fixed own address card visibility issue with custom client. - Fixed speed dial items:
Fixed deleting wrong speed dial items.
9 Jul 2018
- Improved stability:
The stability has been improved.
2 Jul 2018
Does Anydesk Work On Mobile
- Added SpeedDial Feature:
Favourites can be set in speed dial. - Address filter added:
Search filter for speed dial. - Alias now available on Android:
Custom Alias can be registered once in the settings. - SpeedDial features enhanced:
Showing Alias and ID in SpeedDial menu and own address field. - Enhanced connectivity:
Fixed error when terminating an incoming connection. - Audio settings optimized:
Audio permissions are only requested when this feature is enabled in the settings.
11 Jun 2018
- Status available in the SpeedDial:
Showing online states of session partner in speed dial. - AnyDesk now displays online status:
Showing AnyDesk connection state. - Fixed connection error:
Fixed pointer position on incoming connections. - Long life:
Reduced battery drain. - Enhancements:
Improved stability.
16 May 2018
- Fixed Bug:
Fixed automatic language selection. - Fixed Bug:
Fixed black screen on some devices. - Fixed Bug:
Improved stability.
9 May 2018
Anydesk For Mobile Online Application
- New Feature:
Completely exit app when exit via back button when no connection active. - Fixed Bug:
Changing user picture now immediately takes effect. - Fixed Bug:
Improved connection to terminal server. - Fixed Bug:
Improved reconnect on network change. - Fixed Bug:
Fixed keyboard action in password dialog. - Fixed Bug:
Improved double click. - Fixed Bug:
Improved stability.
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Anydesk For Mobile Online
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