News

New Variants Of Android Spyware Are Targeting Middle East Users

Sophos recommends Android users to never install apps from untrusted sources and avoid ignoring available OS and app updates.

Published

4 years ago

November 24, 2021

David Morelo

new variants of android spyware are targeting middle east users

British security software and hardware company Sophos has recently revealed that new variants of Android spyware used by the C-23 group are actively targeting users in the Middle East.

C-23, also known as GnatSpy, FrozenCell, or VAMP, is what cybersecurity professionals refer to as an advanced persistent threat (APT) adversary. Such adversaries are typically well-funded and well-organized, which allows them to quickly evolve their tactics to overcome even the most sophisticated cybersecurity defenses.

The C-23 adversary has been known for targeting individuals in the Middle East since at least 2017, with a particular focus on the Palestinian territories.

The latest variants of its Android spyware are most likely distributed via a download link sent to victims as text messages. The link leads to a malicious app that pretends to install legitimate updates on the victim’s mobile device. When the app is launched for the first time, it requests a number of permissions that let it spy on the victim. It then disguises itself to make removal more difficult.

c-23 gnatspy frozencell vamp android spyware middle east

“The new variants use more, and more varied, disguises than previous versions, hiding behind popular app icons such as Chrome, Google, Google Play, YouTube, or the BOTIM voice-over-IP service” explain Sophos. “If targets click a fraudulent icon, the spyware launches the legitimate version of the app, while maintaining surveillance in the background”.

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The information the new spyware can steal includes everything from text messages to the names of installed apps to contacts from all kinds of apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp. The spyware can even dismiss notifications and toggle “Do Not Disturb” settings.

Sophos recommends Android users to never install apps from untrusted sources and avoid ignoring available OS and app updates. The company’s own mobile antivirus app, called Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, can detect the new spyware as well as all kinds of other malicious software.

News

DJI Teases Dual-Camera Osmo Pocket 4P For 2026 Launch

Though most technical claims for the new gimbal come from industry leaks rather than DJI’s own announcement.

Published

6 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Nour Nasir

dji teases dual-camera osmo pocket 4p for 2026 launch

DJI

DJI has teased a dual-camera version of its Osmo Pocket gimbal, confirming that the Osmo Pocket 4P will launch in 2026. The teaser image is the company’s first preview of the device, following months of speculation about a more advanced model in its pocket camera range.

The image shows a slightly larger device than the existing Osmo Pocket 4, with two camera modules mounted above a compact three-axis gimbal. Reports suggest one camera may use a 1-inch sensor paired with a wide-angle lens, while the second may carry a 3x zoom lens — though DJI has not officially confirmed any of these details.

According to leaks circulating ahead of the launch, the Osmo Pocket 4P could support 4K video at up to 240 frames per second, offer 14 stops of dynamic range and include 10-bit D-Log color support. Those features are commonly used by filmmakers who require greater flexibility during color grading and post-production. Reports also point to Hasselblad color tuning, continuing a partnership that has already appeared in some of DJI’s drone cameras, along with up to 128GB of built-in storage that would reduce reliance on external memory cards during longer shoots.

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The device is expected to retain features from the existing Osmo Pocket 4, including a three-axis mechanical gimbal, updated ActiveTrack subject tracking and a flip-out touchscreen display. The Osmo Pocket line is aimed at content creators, vloggers, and independent filmmakers seeking compact equipment that can produce usable footage without a larger camera system.

DJI has not provided pricing or a specific launch date beyond the 2026 window. Industry observers expect the Osmo Pocket 4P to cost more than the standard Pocket 4 because of the dual-camera setup and expanded recording capabilities, though no figures have been disclosed. So far, most of the technical detail circulating around the product remains tied to leaks rather than official confirmation.