The Google Messages app is getting a few important safety features

2 weeks ago

google messages scam personality fraud package transportation spam features detect

Google’s package taxable for 2024 has been safety. With the presence of Android 15, nan institution added a big of anti-theft measures for phones, and later locked nan Find My strategy down biometric check. Next successful statement is nan Messages app.

Earlier today, nan institution announced enhanced scam detection, putting typical attraction connected package transportation scams and occupation frauds. Package transportation frauds person been connected nan emergence lately, and they are being utilized for everything from brushing scams to those extorting money successful nan sanction of clone package transportation problems.

Even nan United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a informing astir nan crisp emergence successful specified scams. These deceptions usually originate pinch a misleading matter connection and often incorporate a clone search link.

Blocking a number sending spam SMS connected a phone.

Google says nan Messages app will trust connected on-device AI smarts to observe scammy texts. It will subsequently pass users astir specified messages and will automatically parkland them successful nan spam folder. This characteristic has already started rolling retired to beta testers.

Next, Google is expanding a information scan strategy that automatically looks for links aliases URLs that could beryllium malicious. Such URL tin woody a batch of damage, ranging from installation of malware packages to redirecting users to a phishing portal. So far, this strategy has been tested successful a fewer Asian countries, including India. Now, Google says it will grow intelligent URL warnings for Messages users worldwide earlier nan extremity of this year.

But location is still a chance that users mightiness autumn into a web of cautiously orchestrated online fraud starting pinch seemingly urgent messages. To debar specified a scenario, Google will connection an added furniture of protection that blocks messages from chartless world senders.

A spam SMS connection connected a phone.

Cybercriminals often usage virtual numbers of world root to debar search and discovery by section rule enforcement authorities. Google notes that nan Messages app will fto users automatically hide each specified messages from world senders to minimize nan risks.

All specified connection will beryllium pushed to nan “Spam & blocked” files successful nan Messages app. Rollout of this characteristic originates successful Singapore, and based connected nan reception, it will beryllium expanding to much markets.

But scammers don’t ever usage world numbers. They often effort to spoof morganatic business entities for illustration banking, automobile, and logistics brands utilizing a business sender profile. In immoderate cases, they simply effort to walk disconnected arsenic an acquaintance. To tackle specified blase threats, nan Messages app is prepping a interaction verification system. This would trust connected each contact’s nationalist cardinal for verification, a strategy that checks for nan sender’s personality utilizing a QR aliases registered telephone number.

Google has already started moving connected a unified nationalist cardinal dashboard and will make nan interaction cardinal verification strategy disposable for each phones moving Android 9 aliases a later version.

Nadeem Sarwar

Nadeem is simply a tech journalist who started reference astir cool smartphone tech retired of curiosity and soon started writing…

Android phones person started receiving important anti-theft features

Android Theft Detection connected Pixel 9.

At Google I/O earlier this year, a trio of information features were announced to support Android devices safe successful events for illustration theft, locking nan device, and mounting up caller guardrails truthful that nan telephone won’t judge a caller setup successful nan hands of a bad actor.

Some of these changes were expected to get successful nan aforesaid model arsenic Android 15’s nationalist release, which is correct astir nan corner. But according to Mishaal Rahman and 9to5Google, they’ve already started appearing to users successful nan U.S. pursuing a trial successful Brazil.

Verizon is shutting down its celebrated texting app. Here’s why

Verizon banner splashed crossed iPhone screen.

RCS messaging is nan caller hotness, and it's truthful celebrated that Verizon is shutting down its celebrated Verizon Messages and Message Plus apps. According to Verizon's FAQ page, nan apps are being unopen down because nan institution wants you to person "the champion messaging experience."

In different words, now that RCS messaging is readily disposable betwixt Android and iOS platforms, there's nary request for a third-party exertion to capable successful nan gap. Verizon says that Google Messages provides an wide amended experience, comes preloaded connected each Verizon Android devices, and is capable to interact pinch Apple Messages, too.

Arc Search, 1 of my favourite iPhone apps, is now connected Android

Screenshots of nan Arc Search app connected Android.

Earlier this year, Arc Search became 1 of my favourite iPhone apps successful caller memory. It's a browser app that's wicked fast, has a very cleanable interface, and has an unbelievably bully AI feature. Today, Arc Search's developers (The Browser Company) person announced that nan app is yet coming to Android.

Starting tomorrow, October 4, you tin caput to nan Google Play Store and download Arc Search connected immoderate Android instrumentality moving Android 13 aliases later. The app is still successful unfastened beta, and not each characteristic from nan iOS app is presently available. Regardless, it's still breathtaking to spot 1 of this year's champion iPhone apps officially onshore connected Android.