Sunday, May 24, 2015

Factory data reset on Android-smartphone does not guarantee data destruction – 3DNews

Researchers at the University of Cambridge (UK), studied the features of the reset to factory settings on Android-devices, we came to a disappointing conclusion that this operation is not always a guarantee that personal user data is irrevocably destroyed.

During the experts studied about two dozen used smartphones, which were bought on eBay in 2014. They were produced by companies such as Samsung Electronics, HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola; In addition, several vehicles belonged to the family of Google Nexus. All devices have undergone reset to its factory state. Smartphones have been installed different versions of Android – from 2.3.x (Gingerbread) to 4.3 (Jelly Bean).

As it turned out, 80% of the possible recovery of data to synchronize the device with Google-account of the previous owner, receiving Access to e-mail, contacts, Wi-Fi passwords, and so on. In addition, the individual was able to revive the smartphone SMS-messages and conversations are carried out through the Internet pagers.

On the basis of their research experts concluded that 500 million Android-devices can not correct or delete data, leaving open the possibility of their recovery even after a factory reset. But for the 630 million vehicles is likely resuscitation information on SD-card.

The researchers say that solution can be encrypted, but in this case it is necessary to use complex passwords, since, for example, a combination of four characters may be obtained by brute force. In addition, it is noted that the Google branded devices have higher security than devices from other manufacturers.

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