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This smartphone chip could be a big help in the fight against bad apps

Malware can end up accessing other parts of your phone without your knowledge, but a new chip from Qualcomm could change that.

WHEN IT COMES to protection against viruses and malware, you’re normally dependent upon your software to help protect you and keep up to date.

Since this usually relies on a database of known malware threats, it’s not useful if a brand new malware app emerges and ends up infecting a number of devices.

That could be a thing of the past if a new chip from Qualcomm lives up to its promise. Its upcoming Snapdragon 820 mobile processor detects malware by looking out for any suspicious activity.

It then groups the app based on severity which can range from annoying activity like serving up ads to damaging viruses.

For example, if you downloaded a torch app and it started accessing your camera, photos and contacts shortly after, the chip would automatically detect this and block it.

The other benefit is it unlike software, it doesn’t rely on having an internet connection to operate. The chip will continue to analyse and look for changes in real-time even when you’re in a blackspot.

Smart Protect also uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to learn and help improve device security so it becomes more efficient. It’s also working with mobile security providers like Avast, AVG and Lookout to help improve their services using the chip.

Qualcomm is one of the biggest chip providers in the smartphone industry and is used in many Android and Windows devices. The company expects the first devices to use this chip will be in the market next year.

SnapdragonProcessors / YouTube

Read: So what can you expect at Apple’s big iPhone event? Quite a bit… >

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