How To Get Rid Of Stagefright Virus

Stagefright isn't a virus, it's an exploit. What happened exactly? Did you receive an MMS from a contact you didn't recognise? Did it contain a video file? I presume you're rooted if you're using Titanium Backup? The safest way of removing it would be to install another ROM, is that an option? This stagefright vulnerability is a type of buffer overflow attack. This remote exploit does not require any other human interaction. The hacker sends a malicious file link which when clicked crashes the stagefright library, and the process then restarts with a reverse shell back to the server comprising the machine with the stagefright exploit.

Stagefright is an Android vulnerability that some have called the worst Android security problem ever. A hacker can use this to gain root access to an Android device simply by calling a phone and sending it a specially constructed MP4 media file in an MMS (multimedia message). MMS messages are processed by WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, or the ordinary Android messenger app. The exploit works by causing an error in the media player which a hacker can use to gain access to memory. This bug impacts Android versions between 2.2 and 5.1. There are patches available. Plus users can turn off the automatic downloading of videos in those apps. But not all Android devices are patched yet even though the bug was discovered some months ago in 2015. This is because patches are pushed out at different schedules by the phone manufacturers and cellular carriers.

For example, we tested a Nexus 4 smartphone running Android version 4.2.1. That phone had not been patched. We used the Stategright Detector app which is available on Google Play here to run the test.

The app gave this result:


The CVE (common vulnerabilities) numbers shown in the app shown above are assigned by the nonprofit firm MITRE who tracks these items based on data provided by security researchers. For example one Stagefright weakness is documented here. There are several.

Security researcher Joshua Drake found the problem and wrote the fix here.

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You can see a video demonstration of the bug here.

It is not know how many people have been affected by this vulnerability but all unpatched Android devices have this problem. Since the vulnerability is well-documented on the Android opensource code project site a hacker could certainly write an exploit. They could even use the code written Mr Drake himself.

The Android bug is assigned the number ANDROID-20139950.

Responsibility for patching the Nexus 4 device we mentioned above lies with Google since the Nexus device are manufactured for Google by another company. If it had been, for example, a Galax then Samsung would have been responsible for compiling the fix into their version of Android. The mobile carrier would then push that out.

How the Exploit Works?

The bug works by overflowing the memory of the Stagefright player. Here we explain briefly what that means.

An Android programming running on the Android operating system does not have access to memory outside of the Java Virtual Machine, called Dalvik. That is by design. But Stagefright would have been written in C++, a much lower-level language. With that programming language the programmer is responsible for assigning memory to the program themselves unlike normal Android apps.

In the case of the Stagefright the hacker sends a media message that causes a buffer overflow. That means more data is added to a data field than it is designed to contain thus causing the data sent there to spill over into random memory. The hacker would put instructions and not data into that data field and redirect the running program to execute those. These instructions are assembly language commands which is an even lower level language than C++. In particular the hacker can execute these instructions as demonstrated by Mr Drake in the code excerpt below.

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All of that will look like Chinese to the normal person. Just know that those instructions give the player access to command line, meaning root access. That means a hacker could bypass any Android security and install whatever malware they wish.

How To Get Rid Of Stagefright Virus Removal

So download the app to test for the bug then search for the patch provided by your phone manufacturer. And install antivirus software to block the exploit.

Don't let the sound of your heart pounding in your ears drown out your message.
Stagefright
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Your breath speeds up, your pulse races. Your throat tightens as your palms sweat. You feel sick to your stomach, and when you speak, your hands and knees shake along with your voice.

These are common symptoms of stage fright, also known as performance anxiety. Millions of people experience the involuntary response when they’re faced with delivering a presentation or performing in front of others. This assumption of being judged arises from the spotlight effect -- the belief that people are paying more attention (especially negative attention) to you than they truly are. It’s an evolutionary holdover of the “fight or flight” response. In this case, your body perceives actual danger from becoming the focus of others' attention.

Related: 5 Mega-Successful Entrepreneurs Who Are Introverts

Virus

Stage fright is normal, but that certainly doesn't mean it's benign. Performance anxiety can affect your career and personal life. It can diminish your self-esteen or hold you back from taking on leadership roles at work. If you’re prone to stage fright, it’s important to take control of it before it starts controlling you. Here are five proven ways to approach the problem and make that spotlight work for you.

1. Pretend you’re excited about it.

One study from Harvard Business School revealed a novel way to cope with jitters before a speech: Pretend your anxiety is actually excitement. This provides a way to focus all that nervous energy and present it to yourself with a positive spin.

The project's researchers believe this approach may be more effective than simply trying to calm yourself. Telling yourself to settle down when you’re pumped full of adrenaline is an act of repression -- it gives those feelings nowhere to go. In contrast, recasting your nervousness as excitement creates a framework to manage your emotions.

Related: 7 Powerful Public Speaking Tips From One of the Most-Watched TED Talks Speakers

2. Worry about the first five minutes -- and that's it.

Research suggests the first few minutes of a presentation are the most stressful. After that, you’re more likely to settle into your role at the front of the room.

Knowing this can be a big advantage. When you’re practicing, make sure you have the first five minutes of your presentation down cold. (The rest of your presentation can be a bit more organic, which isn’t to say you shouldn’t practice it, too.)

When it's time to present, tell yourself you just have to get through those first five minutes. Believing you're fully prepared for the worst section of your talk will give you the confidence to step to the front of the room. Odds are you won't notice when those five minutes tick past. You'll already have found your groove in front of the crowd.

3. Focus on the material, not your inner critic.

Stage fright often generates a negative feedback loop that goes something like this: Before or during your presentation, the anxious part of your brain develops an image of how you must look to your audience. At the same time, it perceives every cue from the audience as a potential threat. If a listener yawns or steals a glance at the clock, your brain is likely to upgrade that action to a catastrophe. Before long, you're convinced everyone in the room is bored and hates your presentation.

The best way to overcome this downward spiral is to keep your focus outside of yourself. Remember that your audience isn’t here to see you. They’re here to gain something from the materials and ideas you have to share with them. Concentrate on your content above all else, and you'll avoid getting trapped in a negative state of mind.

Related: Google Co-Founder: Take Chances, Pursue Your Dreams and Silence the Voices

4. Visualize the worst outcome.

People who suffer from stage fright tend to expect the worst. If you've heard admonishments such as, 'Focus on the positive!” or, “Just calm down,” you've learned that society stigmatizes those who fixate on potential negative outcomes. And if you're like most people, that will lead you to keep your fear a secret.

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The trouble is, avoiding fears only gives them more power. The best way to cope with your worries might be to face them head on. Allow yourself to visualize everything you’re worried about, from tripping on your way to the podium to having your mind go blank in the middle of your presentation.

Then -- this is key -- brainstorm ways to cope with each of them. Prepare a joke to deliver if you do trip, for example. Rehearse these scenarios in your mind until you feel comfortable with them. This way, you can begin your presentation with confidence that you’re prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

Related: Here's Why You Need to Stop Worrying About the Worst-Case Scenario

5. Improve your relationship with yourself.

How To Get Rid Of Stagefright Viruses

A propensity for stage fright can indicate a variety of personality traits. These range from perfectionism to social anxiety. People who need to be liked or who fear being vulnerable are likely to suffer performance anxiety. So are those with low self-esteem, a desire for control or a fear of failure -- or success.

One key to overcoming stage fright is to clarify the underlying factors of your own, personal fear. Developing self-awareness, self-compassion and self-confidence will help you avoid putting so much pressure on yourself.

Related: 5 Tips to Reduce Presentation Anxiety

How To Get Rid Of Stagefright Virus Protection

Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for stage fright. If you experience performance anxiety, there's a good chance you might always feel a butterfly or two before you deliver a presentation. The good news is recognizing your triggers can help you apply the right strategies to manage your emotions.