Google claims many exploits from WikiLeaks’ CIA documents already fixed

Says analysis is ongoing and will implement any further necessary protections


Tech Desk March 09, 2017
The Google Pixel phone is displayed during the presentation of new Google hardware in San Francisco, California, US October 4, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Following the Wikileaks dump of CIA documents exposing the agency’s alleged hacking programme, Google said it has fixed many of the vulnerabilities in its Chrome and Android platforms identified in the leaked documents.

In a statement provided to Recode, Google Director of Information Security and Privacy Heather Adkins said the company is confident that the “security updates and protections in both Chrome and Android already shield users from many of these alleged vulnerabilities.”

WikiLeaks exposes alleged CIA hacking program

“Our analysis is ongoing and we will implement any further necessary protections. We've always made security a top priority and we continue to invest in our defences," he added.

The statement came a day after Wikileaks released a trove of CIA documents. Wikileaks claimed that a vast trove of CIA documents representing “the majority of its hacking arsenal” had been leaked within the cyber security community – and that it had received, and released, a part of them. It also claimed that the documents show the CIA has produced more than 1,000 malware systems – viruses, trojans, and other software that can infiltrate and take control of target electronics.

WikiLeaks says the CIA can see your Whatsapp messages

Earlier, Apple also issued a statement saying it has already fixed most of the security flaws in its iOS software identified in the WikiLeaks CIA document dump. “While our initial analysis indicates that many of the issues leaked today were already patched in the latest iOS, we will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities. We always urge customers to download the latest iOS to make sure they have the most recent security updates,” the statement added.

https://twitter.com/JohnPaczkowski/status/839308040775987201

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