Nook Tablet 7" Laden With Spyware?? Help:(

I just gave a Nook Tablet 7" to my sister for Christmas, and was trying to find a video she could watch that would help her learn about it, before I have to go in and help her set it up. I want her to learn some things on her own, if she will, not just depend on me.

But I ran across this article and it worries me a lot. Does anyone know about this issue, or this ADUPS (whatever). Opinions on whether I should have her ship it to me so I can send it back?? Feedback of any sort appreciated, Denise

Article below:


Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet 7 Apparently Laden With Spyware That Was Blacklisted By Google [Updated]
You might want to think twice before adding Barnes & Noble’s latest tablet to your virtual or physical cart. It has been reported that the Nook Tablet 7 has been found to include ADUPS, which is known for specializing in collecting data from Android users and installing hostile apps.

Barnes & Noble departed from its OMAP/Snapdragon designs and instead contracted Shenzhen Jingwah Information Technology Co., Ltd. The tablet runs MediaTek’s MT8163 ARM Cortex-A53 processor. MediaTek, a low-cost chipmaker, is known for protecting malware from Google security and has actively worked with ADUPS in the past.
image: http://hothardware.com/ContentImages/NewsItem/39660/content/NOOK_Tablet_7.jpg

http://hothardware.com/ContentImages/NewsItem/39660/content/NOOK_Tablet_7.jpgADUPS is capable of SMS recording, SMS transmission, IMEI exfiltration, IMSI transmission, call log transmission, call Contact Information Transmission, along with location collection and transmission. It can also inject its own commands, remotely access application updates and installation as well as execution and privilege escalation, and transmit lists of installed applications and order of application execution. Long story short, ADUPS is nasty.

ADUPS recently compromised many BLU-phone models. It was found to be transmitting call logs, SMS, contacts, and location info from the United States to Chinese servers using DES encryption. A class-action lawsuit investigation has been filed against BLU by the Rosen Law Firm of New York. The law firm is currently collecting is collecting class members and information for a damages assessment.

Affected BLU devices also included a "Wireless Update" entry in the Application menu, which could disable ADUPS. The Nook Tablet 7 does not have any way to get rid or disable ADUPS. Users will need to utilize a format of the eMMC and install a third-party ROM in order to use the Nook Tablet 7 safely.

ADUPS has been blacklisted by Google in its CTS and many believe that any device that runs ADUPS should be considered permanently compromised.

Updated 12/22/2016 @ 12:34 PM
Barnes & Noble reached out to inform us that while its Nook Tablet 7 does indeed ship with ADUPS, that its included version in no way puts customer data at risk. The company also indicated that it will be shifting away from ADUPS completely in the future. The full statement from Barnes & Noble Chief Technology Officer Fred Argir can be read below:

NOOK Tablet 7” went on sale on November 26. By that time, the device automatically updated to a newer version of ADUPS (5.5), which has been certified as complying with Google’s security requirements, when first connected to Wi-Fi. ADUPS has confirmed to Barnes & Noble that it never collected any personally identifiable information or location data from NOOK Tablet 7” devices, nor will it do so in the future.

Finally, we are working on a software update to remove ADUPS completely from the NOOK Tablet 7”. That update will be made available to download within the next few weeks, but in the meantime customers can rest assured that the device is safe to use.


Read more at http://hothardware.com/news/barnes-...ith-chinese-adups-spyware#zvEmvzh3qpK5T6s2.99

 

I suggest your sister doesn't use the tablet until this update becomes available.

 

That's what I thought I'd hear I think you are right @Eldon. I am so disappointed, and sure she will be too. I may have her send it back to me, but I shouldn't fiddle with it either because I was ready to tell her how to download 2 apps, Overdrive, so she can get books from her country library, and Teamviewer so I can remote control her Nook.

I was thinking about the remote control thing though, and don't think it would work. I can use it on her pc, but her Nook is a "touch" of course, and I don't see how I can remote control it without using a regular mouse.

I read the part where B&N assures us it's still safe to use the Nook until the update, but to trust them I don't know. What about anti-spyware? Any chance I can clean it off, the ADUPS? I'll google that and see if anythings up yet.

Thanks so much for your reply, Denise

 

Oh brother, looks like this is far-reaching spyware, if you can trust some of the Google Search results. Here's one:

http://www.androidheadlines.com/2016/12/report-several-vendors-adups-spyware-devices.html

This one came out in Dec. 20, and there's another one on here that came out in November on ADUPS being installed by Chinese Manufacturers

If the ADUPS is on her Nook, it may show up in any APP she used, including the pre-installed apps, and any she gets from Google Play Store right?

 

If it's safe to use the tablet, why would B&N release an update? They all make excuses hoping not to loose customers.

 

What about all the other androids as well. Yes, I'm thinking to just have her ship it back. Thanks guys, denise

 

In the other article I put the link to, they said "other" android devices also had the ADUPS.

Nice if you have more dollars to spend on a reader. I don't. I think the Kindle will be fine for my sister and I, I ordered 2. I found 2 people now that have them and the ad comes up when you login, then you push it aside, swipe the screen. That's no biggie for me. Thanks for your input, denise

 

That's how I do things pretty much. I only have what I need mostly, save my money up to get something I really want. My sis and I will only use our Fire's (I ordered one as well) to read. I'm not sure why every device has to have "everything" on it, but for those that like being able to do "everything" they can do on their computer "mobile" I suppose that would be the reason.

Anyway, I finally am settled about the whole thing. Next year, socks or something non-tekkie, LOL!!